250 
PHASCOLOM YID.-E. 
In the general form of tlie skull, the Wombat approaches 
the Phnlangista group more nearly than any other section of 
Marsupiata. The cranium is remarkable, not only for its 
large size, as compared with the bulk of the animal, (being 
larger than in the largest Kangaroos), but for its strength: 
the bones are thick and dense, and the large size of the tem¬ 
poral lossm, deep and strong zygomatic arch, combined with 
the great development of hinder parts of the lower jaw, all 
indicate great power in the masticatory muscles. The general 
figure of the skulk as viewed from above, approaches to an 
oval; it is, however, broadest at the posterior root of the 
zygomatic arch, and thence becomes gradually contracted to 
the fore part of the zygoma, in front of which it is suddenly 
contracted ; the muzzle, however, is broad, though very short. 
The upper surface of the skull is very nearly flat above—on 
the hind part it is quite flat, and the fore part is slightly 
convex. The nasal hones are nearly flat, short, broad, and 
much expanded posteriorly. The temporal ridges are strongly 
marked, though not much elevated; they converge, but do 
not meet posteriorly in the skull of an aged animal: the 
occipital crest is considerably produced. The zygomatic arch 
is stout, deep, and compressed, excepting beneath the eye, 
where it forms a large horizontal platform : the glenoid cavity 
or articular surface for the condyle of the lower jaw is of 
great extent, and forms a concave curve in the transverse 
direction, but in the longitudinal direction it is narrow and 
convex; it presents no anterior or posterior process to enclose 
the condyle of the lower jaw, which, therefore, can move 
backwards, forwards, and laterally. The palate is narrow, 
and much contracted between the anterior molars; the 
question in Marsupial animals. In most of the species the ncurapophyses of 
the atlas vertebra either remain permanently separated from the body, or arc* 
only anchyloscd when the animal is aged. 
