PlIALAXGISTID.i:.- 
-JIAMJIALIA.- 
-Phai^angistida;. 
direction of the little creature’s course had been con- 
tinued, must have plunged it into the sea. All who 
witnessed the scene were m pain for its safety ; but it 
suddenly appeared to check itself and so to modify its 
career that it alighted safely on the deck.’ ” All the 
species are natives of New South Wales. The Sciurine 
Fig. 87. 
The large Petaiirist, or Flying Squirrel (Petaurus taguanoides). 
Petaurist is also found in New Guinea and its adjacent 
islands. It is sometimes called the Norfolk Island 
Plying Squirrel, having been originally described as 
inhabiting the outlying and isolated spot of land which 
hears that name. The fur is asli-coloured above and 
whitish underneath. A brownish line extends from 
the muzzle to the root of the tail, the latter organ 
Fig 
being tufted and black at the tip. In the little mouse- 
like Pigmy Petaurist the hairs of the tail are regulaily 
disposed in two rows, one on either side, like the barbs 
of a feather. 
THE KOALA {Phascolarctos cinereus). — Although 
this animal has been generically separated from the 
Petaurists and true Phalangers, yet there is no reason to 
88 
The Koala (Phascolarctos cinereus.) 
place it outside the family limits of Phalangistidte. 
The most striking differences have reference to the thick- 
set body, and more particularly to the extreme shortness 
and rudimentary condition of the tail (fig. 88). Its 
dentition for the most part corresponds with those of the 
Phalangers ; but it never displays canines in the lower 
jaw, and is only furnished with four premolars, one on 
either side above and below. All the molars are pro- 
vided with four pyramidal tubercles. To the penta- 
dactylous character of the feet, the very large coccum, 
and other essential features of the family, it is entirely 
conformed. The digits of the anterior feet separate 
