these is the Scham-scham, a very beautiful spotted creature found in the
Molucca and Papuan islands. Several other species of phalangers inhabit
these and other Asiatic islands, especially Celebes and New Ireland.

The other sub-genus is that of the Flying Squirrels, usually known as
Norfolk Island Flying Squirrels, though it is not even certain that they
inhabit the last-mentioned island. It needs only to be said that these
animals are very much like other flying squirrels; and in fact they
_are_ squirrels, only squirrels of the marsupial kind. There are
several species already described.

Another pouched animal is the Koala, or Ashy Koala as it is called. It
differs in appearance from all the others, being of stout make, and
almost without a tail. It is not unlike the bear in its form and
movements; but its bulk is scarce equal to that of a moderate sized dog.
It can climb trees with great facility, though it makes its lodgment
among their roots, in a den which it hollows out for itself. Its food
is supposed to be fruits, and very likely it is the Australian
representative of the _frugivorous_ bears. It has the singular habit of
carrying its young one upon its back, after the latter has grown too
large to be conveniently stowed away in the pouch. Two species of koala
have been spoken of, but as yet one only is described and certainly
known.

The Wombat is another animal of thick stout form, and also without tail.
It is a slow creature, easily overtaken by a man on foot. It burrows
in the ground. During the day it remains in its hole, issuing forth
only at night to procure its food, which consists mainly of herbage.
There is but one species known, belonging to both Van Dieman's Land and
New South Wales.

I have kept the Kangaroos to the last: not that they are the least
interesting, but because these very singular animals are now so
well-known, and their habits have been so often described, that it seems
almost superfluous to say a word about them. I shall content myself
with observing that the genus of the kangaroos has been divided into two
sub-genera, the true Kangaroos, and those known as Kangaroo Rats. The
difference, however, is not very great, since the rats are as mild and
inoffensive in their habits as the kangaroos themselves. Of the
kangaroo rats there are several species; but when we arrive at the true
kangaroos we find a list altogether too numerous to mention. They are
of all sizes, too,