PHASC0L0MY8 WOMBAT. 
247 
Length about 3 feet: fur coarse, and moderately long; its general 
tint grev-brown ; on tlic under parts of the body paler than the 
upper: ears well clothed with whitish hairs internally, and 
externally with hairs of the same colour ns those of the head, 
excepting at the tip, where they are blackish: feet black: 
tail a mere tubercle, of about half an inch in length. 
The Wombat is found in New South Wales, South Aus¬ 
tralia, and Van Diemen’s Land, as well as some of the Islands 
of Bass’ Straits. It is a burrowing animal, and remains 
concealed in its underground retreat during the day, quitting 
its hole in the night to feed : its food consists chiefly of 
roots and grass. The flesh is said to resemble pork in its 
fatness and flavour, but not in colour or texture, being red 
and coarse. According to Mr. Bass’ account, in Col. Collins’ 
work already quoted, the Wombat is by no means active, and 
has a hobbling or shuffling gait somewhat like that of a bear. 
When at Cape Barren Island, situated in the straits named 
after him, Mr. Bass chased one of these animals, and having 
overtaken it, “ by placing his hands under its belly, he 
suddenly lifted it from the ground and laid it upon its back 
upon his arm as a child would he. It made no noise,” the 
account proceeds, “ nor any effort to escape, not even a 
struggle. The countenance was placid and undisturbed, and it 
seemed as contented as if it had been nursed by Mr. Bass 
from its infancy. He carried the beast upwards of a mile, 
and often shifted him from arm to arm, sometimes laying him 
upon his shoulder, all of whioh he took in good part; until 
being obliged to secure his legs while he went into die hush 
to cut a specimen of a uew wood, the creature’s anger arose 
with the pinching of the twine ; he whizzed with all his 
might, kicked and scratched most furiously, and snapped off 
a piece from the elbow of Mr. Bass’ jacket with his grass- 
cutting teeth. Their friendship was here at an end, and the 
