ORDER OF MARSUPIALS. 
19 
Broad- fronted Wombat (P. latifrons). The bones of an extinct 
species (P. Magnus) have also been satisfactorily determined. 
The Wombat is a thick-set dumpy animal, with no tail, a broad 
head, thick coat, and is a flat-footed walker. It has short ears 
and middling- sized eyes. It burrows in the ground, and lives on 
vegetable substances, especially roots. Of a mild but stupid 
character, it can be easily tamed, and might be made very 
profitable, for its flesh is good, and its fur, though coarse, might 
Fig, 3.— Common Wombat ( Phascolomys wombat ). 
be turned to some account. It would be worth while then to 
endeavour to acclimatise these animals in Europe. They inhabit 
New Holland and Tasmania. Size that of an ordinary Dog. 
The Family of Syndactyles. — The Syndactyles (avv, with or 
together, SaXrvXog, a finger or toe) are thus named because they 
have the second and third toes of the posterior members joined 
together under a common skin as far as the nail. The number of 
toes varies, however, according to the genera. The Syndactyles 
c 2 
