200 
cuscus. 
usually two very small teeth, situated between the two long 
and nearly horizontal incisors, and the five constant molars. 
The upper true molar teeth, in the species we shall first 
describe, are rather longer than broad, of nearly equal size, it 
we except the hindennost of each series, which is rather 
smaller than the others, and have four principal cusps, which 
are but moderately elevated and angular, and have a tendency 
to join in pairs, as in the Rat-Kangaroos, by a ridge running 
in the transverse direction from each of the two outer cusps 
to the inner tubercle. The hindennost molar of the upper 
jaw has but three principal tubercles. The principal pre¬ 
molar (or that which joins the true molars) is rather smaller 
than the true molars, of nearly equal length and breadth, and 
terminates cither in a point, or in a cutting edge of small 
extent. The true molars of the lower jaw resemble those of 
the upper, excepting that their transverse diameter is less in 
proportion to their length. 
The nasal portion of the skull is short; the remaining 
portion of the cranium, us viewed from above, presents a 
nearly oval outline; the intcrorbital space is moderately con¬ 
tracted ; the zygomatic urches long and deep; the palate 
presents a large posterior palatine opening. The angular 
portion of the lower jaw is large, and bent inwards nearly at 
right angles with the plane of the ascending ramus; the 
condyle is transverse. 
The genus Phalanyista has been subdivided into four 
minor sections:— 
Section 1. Cuscus . 
Cu * CU 8 . Lacepkde. 
Cconyx. Tkmminck, Monogr. de Mamm., tom. f. p. 10. 
Tail with the basal portion only covered with hair: cars short, 
almost hidden by the fur of the head; eyes with a vertical 
or nearly vertical pupil. 
