40 
HORN EXPEDITION-—MAMMALIA. 
feet. On tlio other liand, wliile the foot is more similar to that of a Sminthopsis, 
it (hirers from this in heini^ more .stoutly built; whilst, in the absence of hallux, it 
is markedly distinguished from that of either genus. 
The claws are strong, and curved as in Phascologale. 
The sole of the foot is hairy—more so, indeed, than in many species of 
Sminthopsis. 
The pouch is very slightly developed as in Phascologale, and the mamnne are 
six in number, and not eight or ten as is usual in Sminthopsis. 
The skull is flattened in the frontal region as in Phascologale ; but, on the 
other hand, it dilFers from the latter and agrees with Sminthopsis in the important 
character of the nasal bones, which are only very slightly expanded posteriorly. 
The dentition, on the contrary, is closely similar to that of a Phascologale 
such as Ph. apicalis, in which in each jaw is disappearing; while in D. hy7"nei 
it appears to have been lost altogether in the lower jaw. In this respect the latter 
shows an approach to Dasyurus, though not to the same extent as is done by 
Ph. cristicmida. 
On the whole, perhaps, in spite of the marked diflerence in the shape and 
proportions of the foot, the affinity of Dasyuroides is closer with the genus 
Phascologale than with Sminthopsis. 
(9) Aniechinomys laniger, Gould. The jerboa pouched mouse. 
Of this rare species we only secured two specimens, captured along with 
several examples of the very common jerboa-rat (^Hapalotis initchelli) on the 
Missionary Plains in the Finke Valley, between the James Range to the south and 
the McDonnell Ranges to the north. As other writers havt! before noticed, the 
ligures given by Gould (under the name of Phascologale Ianig€7'a\ are very 
misleading, both as to form, colour and habitat. 
The most striking features of the animal are its slender graceful form and its 
disproportionately long and thin hind legs. It is purely ten-estrial, living in 
burrows in the sandy plain districts along with countless numbeis of Ilapalotis 
and a small species of IMus. 
In general appearance it bears a striking resemblance, both in colour and the 
form of its body, to Hapalotis 7/iitchelli^ but is more slender in build. 
