| OCR Text |
Show 328 PROF. R. COLLETT ON MAMMALS [Mar. 16, 21. BETTONGIA LESUEURI (Quoy & Gaim.), 1824. Bettongia lesueuri, Thos. Cat. Mars. Monotr. Brit. Mus. p. 112 (1888); Ogilby, Cat. Austral. Mamm. p. 41 (1892). N. W. Australia : Roebuck Bay, Nov.-Dec. 1895 (seven specimens, three young ones, one embryo). There are in the collection, besides the seven skins, three young ones from the pouch (size of a rat), one embryo (length about 26 mm.), and eight extra skulls, all from Roebuck Bay. Skin. In some specimens the tail shows traces of a low crest of darker colour towards the tip. Back rather variable iu colour, greyish in some, more reddish in others. Tip of tail not white in the seven adult specimens at hand; but in two young ones (from the pouch, size of a small rat) the tip is white for \ to i inch. Arms and legs pale brown, hands darker reddish brown. Skull. The largest skull has a length of 71 mm., breadth 45 mm. In some specimens the frontal crests meet posteriorly and form a short and low sagittal crest. Teeth. P4 has 10 external grooves (in some specimens 9). In one specimen the canine has two cusps, very distinct on the left, less on the other side. Hab. Very numerous around Roebuck Bay, burrowing in the sand-hills. Native name : Jalva. Fam. PHALANGERIDCE. 22. TRTCHOSURUS VULPECULA (Kerr), 1792. Trichosurus vulpecula, Thos. Cat. Mars. Monotr. Brit. Mus. p. 187 (1888); Ogilby, Cat. Austral. Mamm. p. 78 (1892). iV. Australia; Daly River, July-Aug. 1894 (eleven specimens, three embryos, two young in spirit, one skeleton). Katherine River, July 13th-14th, 1894 (two specimens). Skin. These specimens seem to form a distinct race (var. arnhemensis), characterized by their inferior size and the scantily clothed tail. Length of head and body (measured from the skin) about 360 mm.; tail 250 mm. The exterior two-thirds of the tail is naked below and on the sides, and the black hairs form a crest along the upperside, but leaving the tip itself almost bare. Colour variable, in most specimens (typical) grizzled grey, in others reddish brown, with all transitions between them. Distal part of the tail black ; in one specimen it has a faint trace of white on the extreme tip. Chin blackish, as in the type form; the reddish-brown longitudinal patch on the centre of chest also present in most specimens. Skull. Nine skulls, all of which with the teeth fully developed have the following size :- Largest specimen : length 80 ; breadth 48 mm. |
