212 Phalangistid^, MAMMALIA. Phalangistid^. 
find also two or four canines. ’ In all cases the upper 
afford no just grounds for subgeneric distinctions.” 
central incisors are comparatively large, the lower being 
The particular tooth-characters here adverted to, have 
conspicuous and procumbent as in the Kangaroos. In 
reference more particularly to the presence of only 
the Pigmy Petaurist, or Flying Phalanger, there are 
three true molars on each side of either jaw; hut apart 
twenty-four permanent molars in addition to the four 
from this feature the Mouse-like Phalanger possesses 
canines, whilst other members of the genus Petaurus 
many points of interest. It is remarkably small, the 
display twenty-eight molars, the anterior twelve coming 
body measuring only four inches in length, excluding 
under the category of spurious grinders. In the genus 
the tail, which would give us upwards of three inches 
Phascolarctos, on the other hand, there are only two 
and tliree quarters more. This organ is black at the 
canines occupying the upper jaw, and twenty molars, 
root, and clothed with short stoutish hairs, except at 
the anterior four being false. All the Phalangers are 
the tip, where it is naked. The ears are large and 
provided with a simple stomach and a long coecum. 
almost destitute of hair. This little marsupial is only 
In most cases the tail is extensively developed, but in 
found hi Van Diemen’s Land. Excellent figures of it 
the aberrant genus Phascolarctos it is merely rudimen- 
are given by Wateihouse and Gould, and by Mr. Bell 
tary. In some, the tails are prehensile. The habits of 
in the sixteenth volume of the Linnsean Society’s 
the family are arboreal and nocturnal ; they feed partly 
Transactions. 
upon fruits and leaves, and on small birds. 
THE SCIUEINE PETAUEIST [Petaurus sciureus)^ or 
THE VULPINE OPOSSUM {Phalangista vidpina) is 
Sugar Squirrel. — The distmguished naturalist Shaiv 
a very common species in Australia, and is much 
sc[)aratcd the flying Plialangers into a distinct genus — 
hunted by the natives, who are particularly fond of its 
Petaurus — on account of the peculiar membranous 
flesh. It is called in their strange language the Wha- 
expansion of the skin existing between the anterior 
tapnoroo. Although somewhat fox-like in appearance, 
and posterior limbs, associated with a non-prehensile 
it is a much smaller animal, measuring about twenty- 
liairy tail. Five or six species have been described. 
six inches in length, exclusive of the tail, which would 
These are — P. tagua.noides, the largest, 'with a bro'vm 
give us some additional fifteen inches. The fur exhi- 
fur, whitish -grey underneath, and hairy ears (fig. 
bits a ruddy buff colour generally, inclining to a ferru- 
87); P. Australis, or the Hopoona-Koo, with long 
ginous tint at the lower part of the throat ; the tail is 
and naked ears, the fur being fulvous below and 
black, except at the root. The ears are about one inch 
marked by dark-coloured bands along the central 
and a half long; the limbs being also comparatively 
line of the back ; P. hreviceps, P. "sciureus, P. 
short. Similar characters likewise exist in another 
Ariel, P. hreviceps, and P. pygmeeus. As has been 
form inhabiting Van Diemen’s Land; this is a larger 
already indicated, the last-named species presents some 
and darker coloured animal, being considered by Messrs. 
trifling departure from the other Petaurists as regards 
Gould and Ogilby to be distinct ; they have accordmgly 
the teeth, which led Desmarest to give it the generic 
imparted to it the combined generic and specific, title 
title of Acrobates. Eespecting the habits of the Sugar 
P. fuliginosa. 
Squirrel — which are very similar in all the species — - 
THE SPOTTED PHALANGES {Cvscus macula ta)^ 
Mr. Bennett has supplied the follo'sving interesting 
or ScHAM-ScHAM, has been generically separated by 
account — “ During the day the animal generally remains 
Lac^pede and T^mminck on what appears to be very 
quietly nestled in the hollows of trees, but becomes 
satisfactory grounds ; for we find no less than Dvelve 
animated as night advances, and skims through the 
incisors, six above and the like number below — the 
air supported by its lateral expansions, half leaping, 
total number of all the teeth together amoimting to 
half flying from branch to branch, feeding upon leaves 
forty. In this animal the tail is prehensile and naked 
and insects. This peculiar mode of locomotion can 
at the narrowed extremity, where it is also marked with 
scarcely be considered a true flight, inasmuch as the 
rugosities. The Scham-Scham is an inhabitant of 
cutaneous folds, which serve the purposes of wings, 
New Guinea and the Moluccas, being also called Coes- 
seem rather destined for the mere support of the ani- 
coes by the natives of the latter island — hence the 
mal in its long and apparently desperate leaps, than 
generic title adopted by the French naturalist. The 
for raising it in the air, and directing its course towards 
fur has a thick woolly texture, having a- whitish ground 
any given object. For this latter purpose they are 
colour, which is spotted by large, more or less isolated 
indeed but little fitted by their structure, the want of 
deep brown patches, some of the maculae occasionally 
proper muscles in a great measure incapacitating them 
running into one another. The body is stoutish through- 
from performing such offices as are dependent on 
out; the ears being remarkably short. It appears to 
volition. It may be doubted, however, whether these 
be slothful in its movements ; at least such is the char- 
animals are entirely destitute of the power of exercising 
acter given to it by M. Lesson. 
their will in their flight-like leaps. For the folio-wing 
THE MOUSE-LIKE PHALANGEK {Pkalangista gli- 
anecdote bearing upon this subject, we are indebted 
riformis) — Plate 30, fig. 94 — has been elevated by Dr. 
to our friend Mr. Broderip, who related it to us on 
J. E. Gray into a subgeneric rank, under the title of 
unquestionable authority — ‘ On board a vessel sailing 
Dromicia, on account of certain dental peculiarities; 
off the coast of New Holland was a squirrel — Petaurus — 
but, “ as these modifications of the teeth are unaccom- 
which was permitted to roam about the ship. On one 
panied by any change of general structure or of habit. 
occasion it reached the mast-head, and, as the sailor 
wliilst those teeth which most influence the diet are 
who was despatched to bring it down approached, made 
constant, it is obvious,” says Professor Owen, “that 
a spring from aloft to avoid him. At this moment 
til esc differences of dentition are miimportant, and 
the ship gave a heavy lurch, which, if the original 
