DORMOUSE PHALANGER. 
318 
kind of hybernation, somewhat similar, but not to the same 
extent, as in the Dormouse. 
It would be interesting to learn whether, during this par¬ 
tial hybernation, the accumulation of fat at the root of the 
tail decreases. We have instances in two or three other species 
of Marsupials of an incrassated tail, as in the Didelphys 
elegant of Chili, and the Phascogale crassicaudata; 
but here the tail is not always equally thick, and in the 
Dideljihys elegans I have seen specimens in which it was not 
incrassated, and others in which it was very thick. 
As there may be a difference of opinion with regard to 
the specific identity of the Phalangista nan a of Geofiroy 
and the P. gliri/ormis of Bell, I will add a description taken 
by myself from the original specimen of the P. nana, which is 
contained in the Paris Museum, first observing, that the only 
difference I could perceive was that of size, Geoffroy's speci¬ 
men being considerably smaller than the individual described 
by Mr. Bell; and this difference I think is attributable partly 
perhaps to age, but more to a tendency which these animals 
have to attain extreme fatness when kept in confinement. 
The Phalangista nana of the Paris Museum is about 
equal in bulk to the Common Mouse; its fur is soft, dense, 
and of a yellow-grey colour; the head pale dirty yellow; a 
brown mark runs through the eye: the ears have extremely 
minute hairs on the outer side, and are naked within: fur 
like that on the body extends for about three-quarters of an 
inch on to the tail, and the remaining portion of that organ 
is covered with very small adpressed hairs, brownish on the 
upper surface, and pale beneath: the whole of the under 
parts of the body, and the lips, are whitish. 
Inches. Lines. 
Length from tip of nose to root of tail ... 2 7 
“ of tail ... . 2 6 
“ of ear ... ... ... ... 3J 
“ of hind foot ... ... . 
