344 
TARSI PES. 
the hindermost on either side, and the canine, there is a con¬ 
siderable hiatus, and between the canine and the little molars 
there is a long vacant space. The number of molar teeth in 
3 I 
each of these two skulls is, specimen No. 1, — ; specimen 
No. 2, The molars of the upper jaw are rather widely 
separated from each other ; those of the lower jaw are separated 
only by narrow spaces, and are placed about midway between 
the extremities of the ramus. 
In the structure of the feet Tarsipes ugrees esse?ttia1ly with 
the Phalangistidce, and is approached most nearly bv the 
small species of that group forming the section Drotnicia , in 
which the ends of the fingers and toes are expanded, and the 
nails small. Amongst the skeletons of Marsupial animals 
which I have had an opportunity of examining, I also find 
the general structure of that of Tarsipes most assimilated to 
the Phalaiujistidw. It is indeed very similar to the skeleton 
of Petaurus set ureas in most respects (I will point out the 
differences hereafter), and I anticipate that we shall find a 
nearer approximation in the skeleton of the Dromieias. In 
the elongated muzzle and concave palate of Tarsipes, we 
perceive modifications of these parts suited to lodge the long 
and slender tongue, which, it appears, is thus formed for the 
purpose of collecting honey—a food requiring no mastication— 
and hence the rudimental condition of the teeth. The long 
and sharp, horizontal, lower incisors, we may readily suppose, 
would assist in the operation of piercing, and opening a 
passage for the tongue, into those parts of the flowers in 
which the honey is lodged. 
But one species of the genus Tarsipes is known, and that 
inhabits the west coast of Australia. 
* Part of the left side of the jaw is wanting in tills specimen. 
