URSINE DASYURUS. 
449 
extends backwards on either side, more or less over the base 
of the fore leg; and a second band crosses the hack, near the 
root of the tail. 
Inhabits Van Diemen’s Land. 
The Dasyurus ursinus may be compared to a bear, in the 
general proportions of its body and limbs, as well as in the 
texture of its fur: in many of its actions, and in its gait, 
moreover, the original describer of this species, Mr. Harris, 
was struck with a resemblance between the two animals. The 
tail of the Dasyurus, however, is long, when compared with 
that of a bear. In size it is about equal to a badger. 
To the short diagnosis already given, little need be added 
with regard to the specific characters of the animal. The 
white markings noticed, vary in extent in different individuals, 
and not unfrequentlv on opposite sides of the body of the 
same individual. Of three specimens contained in the 
British Museum collection, one is entirely black, with the 
exception of a white spot on the chest; the second is also 
black, with the exception of a white mark on the chest, and 
a white patch immediately behind the base of the fore leg ; 
and the third presents the more common condition of these 
markings, having the chest band entire, and running back over 
the base of the legs on to the sides of the body; the transverse 
band on the hinder part of the back is also distinct. The 
ears are rather short, but very broad: the tail is about half 
as long as the- head and body taken together, and clothed 
with tolerably long, coarse hairs. 
A very fine specimen of the Ursine Dasyurus, which died 
in the menagerie of the Zoological Society, furnished the 
subjoined dimensions. 
Circumference of body at the chest, about ... 20 
Length from tip of nose to root of tail 
.* of tail 
Inches. Lines. 
23 9 
11 0 
20 0 
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