588 DISTRIBUTION OF THE AUSTRALIAN MARSURIATA. 
eight are not found elsewhere. The Marsupiatn of the 
Easteni district are for the most part distinct from those of 
the opposite side of the continent, there being but eight 
species, out of upwards of sixty inhabiting the two provinces, 
which are found in both. But if the three districts mentioned 
are characterized by the few species which they have in 
common, South Australia must be characterized by an oppo¬ 
site quality, that of having a comparatively largo proportion 
of species identical with those of other districts ,* indeed, I 
know of but four species which are peculiar to this district: 
it possesses sixteen species in common with Western Australia, 
and fifteen in common with Eastern Australia. Western 
Australia possesses one genus (Tarsij/es) which is peculiar 
to it, and one sub-genus {Maero t is) ; none of the other 
districts of continental Australia possess any genera which 
are not found elsewhere. About half of the species found in 
Van Diemen’s Land are peculiar to that island — in fact, nine 
out of twenty : of the remainder, the greater portion are 
found on the eastern part of the main land. This island, 
moreover, possesses one genus ( Thylacimt#), and one sub¬ 
genus (Sarcojthilus), which are now peculiar to it. Examples 
of both these sections have, however, been found in a fossil 
state on the main laud. 
Subjoined is a list of the species inhabiting each of the 
districts mentioned. 
