13 
tlio acqnaintanco of this the most harmless, the meekest of 
marsupials. Though called “ Native Bear,” it has not the remotest 
connection with the bear tribe of animals, for it is a mai’supial and 
allied to the phalangers. Like the opossums, its habits are strictly 
nocturnal and arboreal. In size it is larger than the opossum, for its 
total length is about two feet, and its general appearance is round and 
plump. It will weigh, if full grown, over 281b.s., and it is such a mass 
of muscle that a fall of 100 feet does not disconcert it in tlie least. In 
this animal is seen a stiungo exception from tlio long and strong tails 
which are such a common feature of the mar*3upialia, for the koala has 
no external tail altliough in the skeleton are to bo found several 
flattened caudal vertibrm. la colour the animals are an ashy-grey, 
which renders tliem very inconspicuous against the grey hark of a 
gum tree Avhen coiled up during their diurnal sleep. Unlike the 
opossums they do not seek the shelter of hollow spouts in the large 
trees but choosing some fork to sit in, they tuck their liead into their 
breast and thus sleep out the day witlxout the slightest protection 
from external foes. The koala is a powerful climber and seldom 
troubles the ground except Avhen wishing to change from tree to tree; 
its food is almost entirely the leaves of the eucalyptus and other trees. 
The female lias one young at a time, which, after it gets of an age to 
leave tlio pouch, is carried upon the back of the mother. Even when 
wounded the koala seldom attempts to bite. 
THE DASYURID^ OR CARNIVOROUS MARSUPIALS. 
Those two large flesh-eating marsupials, the Dog-headed Thylacino 
{TJiylacinus cynocephalus), and the Tasmanian “devil” (Sarcophilus 
ursinus) not being found in the colony of Queensland, it is sufficient 
in this paper to say that they are the most ferocious and strong of all 
Austnilian animals, not excepting oven the Dingo. This ferocity and 
the slaughter they inflicted upon the shepherd’s flock earned for them 
the soubriquets of “ IiyoDiia,” “ tiger ” and “ devil.” There are, hoAV- 
cver, sevcml species of the different goneia of the family Lasyuridee^ 
which are common in this colony, and Avhich are popularly known by 
the name of “ native cats.” Inappeaiance tlieyliave not the slightest 
resemblance to the domestic cat, but liave moi*© the shape of the 
ferret. The genus most commonly knoAvn is that of Dasyurus. The 
length of the body A'aries, but about 12 inches is the average, and the 
tail Avill average 9 inches ; the fur is yellowish iu colour with spots of 
white over the back and sides, aud the nnderparts are Avhite. Tliere 
is a A'aviety in Avhich a jet black takes the place of the yellow, and 
there is another A'ariety which attains to a much larger size than above 
mentioned, and yet all these ax*e classed as the same species. The 
dasyuri are feiocious little creatures, aud at times commit sad havoc 
among the poultiy flocks of the settler. They are easily tra})i)ed, but 
will fight valiantly Avhen escape is impossible. They are nocturnal in 
their habits. The female bas from four to six young at one birth, 
and ])0ssesscs a shalloAv pouch; the young are flrmly attaclied to the 
nipple as in the kangaroos. 
