Dog-headed Thylacine, or Tasmanian Tiger. 
( r J 'll 1/ /acinus cy n u ceph al m.) 
I'his animal is the largest and most ferocious of the whole Mammalian Fauna in Australia, and at the present time 
restricted to the island of Tasmania. It inhabits the wild rocky mountain districts, and frequently visits the plain 
country to attack the sheep-folds. The flock-owners try everything in their power to exterminate this dangerous 
creature, and it has consequently become very rare in the more populous districts. The summits of the western 
mountains of Tasmania appear to be their stronghold. These inhospitable regions are about 3,500 feet high, and the 
climate is consequently very cold in winter-time. We have been informed that when the snow is on the ground the 
“Tiger” or “ Hyaena” (as the Tasmanians call this animal) is easily trapped; a very powerful instrument is however necessary 
to retain them, and if they can reach the captured limb they are certain to gnaw it off. Mr. Masters, a careful 
observer, states that he has noticed the tracks of the Tiger after a fresh fall of snow, followed first by the not less 
ferocious Black Dasyure, by ordinary “ Native Cats,” and even by the smaller species such as Antechinus siuainsonii, all 
going one after the other in expectation of joining the feast in their turn. Some of the shepherds state that one 
of these animals will kill hundreds of sheep in a very short time, and instances are on record of men having been 
attacked by them. 
The number of voting brought forth at a time does not exceed four ; they are carried in a pouch, and when 
born are as small as young Kangaroos, but the well known marsupial bones with which all the other pouched animals 
are furnished are not found in the Thylacine. The animal is peculiar to Tasmania ; but, as fossil remains prove, has 
once also existed on the mainland. There are two varieties which the shepherds have distinguished for years — one called 
the Bull-head the other the Grey-hound Tiger. The difference between them is a shorter head and closer packed and 
larger teeth in the first-mentioned species. 
As it is not possible in the present work to illustrate all the members of the family to which the Thylacine 
belongs, we shall give a brief list of all the genera and species hitherto described, which will greatly assist the student 
in his labours. 
DASYURUS FAMILY— (FAMILY DASYURIDAE.) 
Marsupialia having the second and third toes of the hind feet disunited and well developed ; the thumb or 
first toe small or absent; the tail non-prehensile and hairy; the canine teeth well developed, except in the small species 
of the genus Antechinus , and the molar teeth either with trenchant crowns or with the masticating surface presenting 
numerous prickly points. 
The family is subdivided into the following groups or genera: — 
GENUS MYRMECOBllJS. 
General habit and size like a squirrel ; head flat and broad, muzzle slightly elongated, muffle, nose, and ears of 
moderate size and pointed, tongue long and slender, legs short and strong, toes, five in front and four to the hind 
feet, all bearing compressed curved nails, tail long and bushy ; female provided with four mammae but destitute of a 
pouch ; teeth small and detached, incisors — canines — , molars — - , — Z2 teeth. 
3— j r— l’ g-g 1 u 
Banded Myrmf.cobius ( Myrmecobius j'asciatus). 
Fur harsh and adpressed, rusty red of various shades, more or less pencilled with w'hite in front, but much 
darker on the hind part of the body ; beneath dirty white ; from seven to eleven white bands across the back, the 
interspace betw-een them increasing as they approach the tail. A black mark or band runs from near the muzzle to 
the ear, enclosing the eye. The ears are small, narrowy and pointed ; the tail is bushy, and has a flat appearance. There 
are many points in the anatomy of this singular animal wirerein it resembles the Ant-eater ( Kchidna hystrix); these are — the 
long and narrow palate, the rounded brain-case, the strong limbs, elongate tongue, and weak mandible. The teeth are 
small, weak, and do not touch each other; in their number they are not exceeded by any living Mammal, and. 
approach those of the extinct P hascolotherium , — one of the oldest of the Mammalian Fauna known to us. The two first 
iower incisors are curved, and directed upwards, resembling the same teeth of some Phalangers. If there is a tendency 
on one hand to approach rlie form of the Ant-eaters, there is on the other some relationship w<ith the Phalangers, and 
(Anr/G-fA) 
