LONG-SNOUTED TARSIPES. 
353 
closely, and distinctly saw them insert their long tongues 
into the flower precisely after the manner of the birds above 
mentioned l .” 
Mr. Neill, whose notes 1 have before quoted 2 , informs me 
that the Tarsipes is known to the natives of King George’s 
Sound by the names of “ Tait,” and “ Noolbengerthat it 
is very common in the district mentioned, and makes its nest 
in the overhanging leaves of the Xanthorrhaxe, and Kingias. 
In repeated dissections of these little animals, immediately 
after their capture, Mr. Neill only found ill the stomach a 
transparent fluid, like honey; and this gentleman is on this 
account inclined to put faith in the statements of the natives, 
who inform him that the “Tait” lives upon honey, which it 
procures by thrusting its long and slender tongue into the 
cups of the flowers. As nearly all the flowering plants in 
Australia, Mr. Neill observes, produce honey, it is probable 
these animals can obtain this food throughout the year. 
The specimen of Tarsipes described by Mr. Gray, was, 
like all other specimens which have come under my notice, 
from King George’s Sound; and, according to the notes 
quoted by Mr. Gray, the animal is said to inhabit the low 
scrubby and heathy looking bushes of that district. The 
notes in question were forwarded: to Mr. Gray, together with 
the Tarsipes and several other interesting animals, by the 
Governor of South Australia, Capt. George Grey. 
Before passing on to the next family, I must not omit to 
notice that parts of a skull of a species of Phalangista , 
agreeing pretty nearly with Plialangista vtilpina , were dis¬ 
covered by Prof. Owen amongst the Mammalian remains 
found by Sir Thomas Mitchell in caverns of Wellington 
Valley, which have already been alluded to. 
1 From Gould’s Mammals of Australia. 2 See page 310. 
VOL. I. 
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