14 
Another ^cnus which will very likely cross the path of the settler 
is that of Phascogale. These animals are alx)ut the size of a nit; they 
are of a blueiah-gmy colour, and the undei-parts white, and the most 
common species can be distinguished by the bushy tip to the tail, 
hence its name P. pemcilluta. All those species are nocturaal and 
arboreal in their habits, but unlike the Uas^yuri they do no havoc to 
the ponitiy, their food being smaller creatures, such as young birds, 
&c. The writer has found this little animal in all parts of Australia, 
from Cape York in the north to Cape Otway in the south. The 
female has no pouch, yet it is a marsupial. 
There is a genus of this family called My^’mecoMus, which, although 
not as yet having been found in this colony, deserves mention 
here, because the species composing it are regarded as one of the links 
in the chain of development of the mai’supialia from the Eeidnae or 
Monotreme ant-eaters. The teeth (52 altogether) of tlie myrmecobius 
are small, weak, do not touch each other, and in number are not 
exceeded by any living mammal. It is not unlikely that further 
research will show this interesting little animal to be an inhabitant of 
the interior western plains of this colony. 
THE PERAMELID^ OR BANDICOOTS. 
There are seveml genem and at least a dozen species of these pretty 
little marsupials found in Aushnlia, and Queensland has her fair 
share. Space compels me to group them all uiidei* the common head 
of bandicoot. The settler is certain to become acquainted with them, 
for they make far too free with the sweet potatoes and other crops. 
In size they vary from that of a rat to that of a rabbit. They can be 
recognised at oiice by their elongated muzzle, shoH tail, and burrow¬ 
ing habits. The fur is hai*sh, but with an under fur voiy soft; their 
fore feet are short and wmak; in appearance the bandicoot proper 
(perameles) is not unlike a miniature pig. Their food consists of 
roots, grasses, insects, and small animals. The pouch in the female 
has the opening the revei*8e way to that found in the kangaroos ; the 
number of the young is four, although there are eight mammse. 
These little creatures ai*o very tame, frequently coming into the huts 
at night time and picking up the crumbs on the floor notwithstanding 
the presence of persons. 
THE MONOTREMATA. 
No essay upon the mammalia of this colony would be complete 
without mentioning the two wondcilul animals which comprise this 
Sub-section of tho Slarsupialia. The one is called by the colonists the 
‘‘ porcupine,” and the other the ^‘duck-hill.” 
THE SPINY ANT-EATER OR ECHWNA 11Y8TRIX, 
This strictly Austmlian animal is common in Queensland. In 
size it is about 18 inches in length, of stout, low build, and in appear¬ 
ance somewhat like the hedgehog of England. The upper parts are 
covered with strong spines, which are the natural defensive armour 
of the animal; an aiiuour indeed quite impregnable to all enemies 
