PETAUllUS AUSTRALIS. 
380 
passing to a tree too distant to be attained by springing from 
the one it wishes to leave. The tops of the trees are tra* 
versed by this animal with as much ease ns the most level 
ground is by such as are destined for terra firma. If chased, 
or forced to flight, it ascends to the highest branch, and 
performs the most enormous leaps, sweeping from tree to tree 
with wonderful address: a slight elevation gives its body an 
impetus, which, with the expansion of its membrane, enables 
it to pass to a considerable distance, always ascending a little 
at the extremity of the leap; by this ascent the animal is 
prevented from receiving the shock which it would otherwise 
sustain.” 
Petaum* ntacrourut. 
The Didclphix macroura is described by Slmw as about 
equal in size to the Black Bat (Mwt ruttus), of a dark brown- 
grey colour above, and whitish beneath ; the head and neck 
also whitish, but a dusky stripe runs along the top of the 
head almost to the nose; the ears whitish, moderately huge, 
and slightly rounded; the upper parts of the fore feet 
whitish ; and the lower half of the tail of a deeper black 
than the beginning. The above description was drawn up by 
Dr. Shaw, upon a specimen sent over by Mr. White. I 
strongly suspect it is the young of the animal described by 
the same author, also from Whites collection, under the 
name of Pc taunts australis. 
