Ponoeied " Saat eee Lae aaa St Tae Ea AY — ee a So Sean : : SOR % s SS wea \ WN wy Weer ha ay ae ae Sees < OL == —— ee ‘ ~ A NEES SN ee ; we? SA : NS Cass j EZ = : ee XN Sk ‘ SNS PS > a ) { a \ XK iN Ne ee g ss wee a ee ss = SS ‘ Nee ee ‘ ifs ‘(DS Sah \ \eoains an = oo Ee pie ioe ae = TOK ‘ ‘ ee \ eh ANB \ S See : ee A ee ee at _ Sed. WER’: |\ Sie | i Ve : (ty LT i Po - Soe NN S Naas: \\ US , ‘ Nee Spye IPeaelee « ae (Ra ee THE MAMMALS OF AUSTRALIA. BY JOHN GOULD, ERS. ELS, FZS., MES., FR.GEOG.S., MRAY S.: HON. MEMB. OF THE ROYAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF TURIN; OF THE ROYAL ZOOL, SOC. OF IRELAND; OF THE PENZANCE NAT. HIST. SOC.; OF THE WORCESTER NAT. HIST. SOC.; OF THE NORTHUMBERLAND, DURHAM, AND NEWCASTLE NAT. HIST. SOC.; OF THE NAT. HIST. SOC. OF DARMSTADT; OF THE TASMANIAN SOC. OF VAN DIEMEN’S LAND; OF THE NAT. HIST. SOC. OF STRASBOURG; OF THE NAT. HIST. SUC. OF IPSWICH; AND CORR. MEMB. SOC. OF NAT. HIST. OF WURTEMBERG. IN THREE VOLUMES. VOL. II. LONDON: PRINTED BY TAYLOR AND FRANCIS, RED LION COURT, FLEET STREET. PUBLISHED BY THE AUTHOR, 26 CHARLOTTE STREET, BEDFORD SQUARE. 1863. LIST Hapalotis albipes = FIG hemileucura hirsutus penicillata . conditor murinus > 1oneicauaata —— Mitchell . cervinus Mus fuscipes — vellerosus . longipilis cervinipes . assimilis manicatus . sordidus — lineolatus . ———— Gouldi nanus albocinereus Novee Hollandiz — delicatulus Hydromys chrysogaster . fulvolavatus leucogaster a oIMOSsus Pteropus poliocephalus conspicillatus funereus Molossus Australis . Taphozous Australis Rhinolophus megaphyllus cervinus aurantius . Nyctophilus Geoffroyi* =a CCONTOVN.. unicolor Timoriensis Scotophilus Gouldi . - morio microdon . picatus nigrogriseus eee lev pumilus Vespertilio macropus Tasmaniensis Arctocephalus lobatus Stenorhynchus leptonyx . Canis dingo OF PLATES. VOL. III. White-footed Hapalotis White-tipped Hapalotis Elsey’s Hapalotis Long-haired Hapalotis Pencil-tailed Hapalotis Building Hapalotis Murine Hapalotis Long-tailed Hapalotis Mitchell’s Hapalotis . Fawn-coloured Hapalotis Dusky-footed Rat Tawny Rat Long-haired Rat Buff-footed Rat . Allied Rat . White-footed Rat Sordid Rat Plain Rat . : White-footed Mouse . Little Rat . ; Greyish-white Mouse New Holland Field-Mouse . Delicate-coloured Mouse Golden-bellied Beaver-Rat . Fulvous Beaver-Rat . White-bellied Beaver-Rat . Sooty Beaver-Rat Grey-headed Vampire Spectacled Vampire Funereal Vampire Australian Molossus . Australian Taphozous Great-leaved Horse-shoe Bat Fawn-coloured Bat Orange Horse-shoe Bat Geoffroy’s Nyctophilus Geoffroy’s Nyctophilus Tasmanian Nyctophilus Western Nyctophilus . Gould’s Bat Chocolate Bat Small-footed Bat Pied Scotophilus 4 Blackish-grey Scotophilus . Grey’s Scotophilus Little Bat . Great-footed Bat Tasmanian Bat . Cowled Seal Sea Leopard The Dingo CONA oT WD = wowwwwwwndwwwnd NNW DN DD WD ww Bw eM BR Bs RB RK eR ee Oar wnNnrovoonroannc*rrth wnrcwooaonoand&wrth WN KE © 37 CES SS SS INE RFI INS ES 05) SOHnNtarna BNH SED . o1, 52 duty Moy ppm upyoyy YVY I Pp PYLY Df PUP pynog as S VIL OW di W IAL by to HAPALOTIS ALBIPES, Licac. White-footed Hapalotis. Hapalotis albipes, Licht. Darst. der Saugth., tab. 29.—Gray, Ann. Nat. Hist., vol. ii. p. 308.—/d., List of Mamm. in Coll. Brit. Mus., p. 115.—Gould in Proce. Zool. Soc. 1851, p. 126. Conilurus Constructor, Ogilb. Trans. Linn. Soc., vol. xviii. p. 126. Bar-roo, Aborigines of the Darling Downs, New South Wales. The Rabbit Rat of the Colonists, Benn. Cat: of Australian Museum, Sydney, p. 6. no. 30. Tue native habitat of the Hapalotzs albipes is the south-eastern portions of Australia generally ; it is dispersed over all parts of New South Wales, Port Philip and South Australia, but is nowhere very abundant. The South Australian specimens and those of New South Wales assimilate very closely, while those from the Darling Downs district are rather browner in the colouring of the fur and have shorter hind feet. Although I regard this latter animal from the table lands as only a local variety, it may at some future time prove to be distinct. Judging from my own observations I should say that the Hapalotis albipes is strictly nocturnal in its habits, for it sleeps during the day in the hollow limbs of prostrate trees, or such hollow branches of the large Eucalyptt as are near the ground, in which situations it may be found curled up in a warm nest of dried leaves ; more than once have I, after detecting the animal in its retreat, sawn off the hollow limb and secured it without injury. In a note with specimens from Darling Downs in New South Wales, Mr. Gilbert states that ‘it is generally found inhabiting hollow logs or holes in standing trees.” The following note respecting this species was sent to me by my kind friend His Excellency Sir George Grey, now Governor of New Zealand, during his Governorship of the Colony of South Australia :— “This animal lives among the trees. The specimen I send you, a female, had three young ones attached to its teats when it was caught: the mother has no pouch, but the young attach themselves with the same or even greater tenacity than is observable in the young of the Marsupiata. While life remained in the mother they remained attached to her teats by their mouths, and grasped her body with their claws, thereby causing her to present the appearance of a Marsupial minus the pouch. On pulling the young from the teats of the dead mother, they seized hold of my glove with the mouth and held on so strongly that it was difficult to disengage them.” I had frequent opportunities of observing this animal in a state of nature during my rambles in the interior of Australia, and Mr. Gilbert was equally fortunate during his short sojourn in New South Wales. I mention this, because certain habits and nest-making propensities have been referred to this animal by Sir Thomas Mitchell, W. Ogilby, Esq., and others, which belong not to this species, but to the Hapalotis conditor, a fact which is fully established by the drawings, specimens and notes of that species made on the spot and com- municated to me by Captain Sturt. Fur long, close and soft ; head, ears, upper surface, flanks and outer surface of the limbs grey at the base and ashy brown on the surface, interspersed with numerous fine black-tipped hairs; whiskers and a narrow line around the eye black ; under surface of the body, inner surface of the limbs, bands and upper surface of the feet white; upper surface of the tail dark brown; sides and under surface white. The figures are of the size of life. uy UMHS Y Peper i : WLP? pp Ley yyy pee pyneg VOoIdY STIL OY I OW ne == HAPALOTIS APICALIS, Gow. White-tipped Hapalotis. Hapalotis apicalis, Gould, in Proc of Zool. Soc., 1851, p. 126. Tuis new species is about the size of, and similar in colour to, HZ. albipes, but it differs in having larger ears, much more delicately formed feet, the tail nearly destitute of the long brushy hairs towards the tip, and smaller eyes. I possess a single example only of this species ; it was procured by Mr. Strange in South Australia. There is an animal in spirits in the British Museum, presented by R. C. Gunn, Esq., from Van Diemen’s Land, which accords very closely with it in the colouring of the fur, and in the rat-like form of the tail ; it is, however, of much smaller size, and in all probability will prove to be a new species. Face and sides of the neck blue-grey ; upper part of the head, space between the ears, the ears and upper parts of the body pale brown, interspersed with numerous fine black hairs ; under surface white; flanks mingled grey and buffy white ; fore feet white, with an oblique mark of dark brown separating the white from the greyish brown of the upper surface ; hinder tarsi and feet white; basal three-fourths of the tail brown, apical fourth thinly clothed with white hairs. The figures are the size of life. cays ¥ AARCS hae VOOUDULYGD, GOOLE LYALL. EGE RE LET A Sf GED) I Batty’ : Ang SEO OMA TON A STLOT VALVE HAPALOTIS HEMILEUCURA, Gray. Elsey’s Hapalotis. Hapalotis hemileucura, Gray in Proc. of Zool. Soc., part xxv. p. 243. Ir is with a degree of mixed pleasure and regret that I bring before the notice of the scientific world this new species of Hapalotis. It was brought home by that young and intelligent naturalist, the late Mr. J. R. Elsey, Surgeon to the expedition conducted by A. C. Gregory, Esq., from the north-western coast of Australia to Moreton Bay : all who like myself had an opportunity of becoming acquainted with the amiable qualities of this gentleman, cannot but regret the loss the science of natural history has sustained by his premature decease. On the part of Dr. Gray, I brought this animal before the Meeting of the Zoological Society held on the 24th of November, 1857, and gave it the name of hemileucura, a term suggested by the parti-colouring of the tail. Only a single specimen was procured, and this is now in the British Museum. I am unable to state the precise locality in which it was obtained, but believe it was about midway between the Gulf of Carpentaria and Moreton Bay. The Hapalotis hemileucurus is a harsh wiry-furred animal, nearly allied to, but considerably larger than, the H. melanura, from which it also differs in having the apical half of the tail white. Head, all the upper surface and flanks very light sandy brown, with numerous, but thinly placed, fine, long black hairs ; under surface buffy white, with even lighter feet and fore-arms ; tail brown, deepening into black about the middle, beyond which the apical portion is white, the white hairs being prolonged into a small tuft at the tip. inches. ienoth-romethe noserto.thespase of thertalle 0" eee et 8 » Of the tail 62 5p » fore-arm 14 3 » tarsus and toes ee The figures are of the natural size. dealt oink Aes : eS oy ae ~“. i as ae i Patt, A TN No Spat Soy nN . 2 9 °S LLOSUIE é SILOTVAVH HAPALOTIS HIRSUTUS, Gow. Long-haired Hapalotis. Mus hirsutus, Gould in Proc. of Zool. Soc., part x. p. 12.—Ib. Ann. & Mag. Nat. Hist., vol. x. p. 405. Hapalotis hirsutus, Gould in Proc. of Zool. Soc., part xix. p. 127. Tue discovery of this rare Australian animal is due to the researches of the late Mr. Gilbert, who obtained a single specimen during his sojourn at Port Essington on the Cobourg Peninsula in 1840; since that period a second example from the same locality has been sent to this country, and, as well as the former, deposited in the British Museum. It will be seen, by the synonyms above given, that I at first regarded this animal as a true Mus, and that I subsequently assigned it a place in the genus Hapalotis. I am, however, by no means satisfied that this is its right situation, and think it possible that, when a sufficient number of specimens have been received to justify the formation of a correct opinion upon the subject, it may be found desirable to constitute it the type of a new genus. The following is a copy of my original description of the animal, published in the 10th Part of the Pro- ceedings of the Zoological Society of London :-— “Fur coarse and shaggy; on the upper parts of the body the shorter hairs are of a yellowish-brown colour, but the longer interspersed hairs, being numerous and of a black colour, give a deep general tint to those parts; the under parts of the body are of a rusty-yellow colour, tinted with brownish on the neck and chest, and having a more decided rust-colour on the abdomen; tail well clothed with lengthened hairs, especially on the apical half, where the scales are hidden by them; those at the point of the tail measure upwards of an inch in length; on this part they have a rusty hue, but on the remaining portions they are black.” The Plate represents the animal of the natural size. aah z ie ‘te a ie oko " ‘ > vera oe ’ bye WEE kA ef ‘ : ; duly “oy I

~5; true molars 2-3 = 4 — 30 Dee 1.1? Op) Sie mea : “Length: body, exclusive of the tail, 2 inches; fore-arm, 1:7; hind-arm, 0:7; tail, 1; ears, 0-5 long, 0-45 wide ; extent of wings, 11 inches. “Colour: above tawny brown, darkest on the face, head and shoulders ; below paler, and tinged on the belly with grey. ** Nose-leaf simple, long, straight-edged, 0°25 across. *«« Rars: connected by a hairy fold of skin, large, broadly ovate, pointed ; posterior margin slightly sinuated near the tip, then rounded; internally with anterior one-third thickly clothed with hair; tragus obsolete, being indicated merely by a slight internal fold of the auricle. ‘Wings naked; index one-jointed, the others three-jointed. ‘* Tail continued 0-1 beyond the intra-femoral membrane. ‘‘Incisors: above very minute; below larger and three-lobed. ‘Canines: strong, hooked, sharp, the upper ones the largest. “False molars: above, first very minute, second large and pointed; below, simple, pointed, the second the largest. ‘“‘'True molars: first and second in each jaw with five, and the third with four sharp points. « Habitat : Cape York ; also in the sandstone caves on Albany Island, where it occurs in great numbers. The two species do not associate together. Procured October 1848.” The figures are of the natural size. | ‘ SQ ‘ N \ a = = j 5 a : 4 © | Z ee Lihe. ld and HC Kuch ter, del. ot. t 13. na RHINOLOPHUS AURANTIUS, Gray. Orange Horse-shoe Bat. The Orange Horse-shoe Bat (Rhinolophus aurantius), Gray, App. to Eyre’s Journ. of Exp. of Disc. into Central Australia, vol. i. p. 405. tab. 1. fig. 1. Tue only information we possess respecting this beautiful Bat, is that it is abundant on the Cobourg Penin- sula in Northern Australia; that it retires during the day-time to the hollow spouts and boles of the various species of Lucalypti; and that it sallies forth on the approach of evening in search of its insect food: its general habits and manners in fact so closely resemble those of the other members of the genus, that a separate description of them is quite unnecessary. Mr. Gray, who characterized the animal in the Appendix to Mr. Eyre’s “‘ Travels,” above referred to, from a aeatiae procured while flying near the Hospital at Port Essington, by Dr. Sibbald, R.N., remarks that it ‘neculiar for the brightness and beauty of its colour, the male being nearly as bright as the Cock of the Rock (Rupicola aurantia) of South America.” The following is Mr. Gray’s description of this pretty animal :— ‘ars moderate, naked, rather pointed at the end; nose-leaf large, central process small, scarcely lobed, blunt at the tip; fur elongate, soft, bright orange; the hairs of the back with short brown tips, of the under side rather paler, of the face rather darker ; membranes brown, nakedish ; tail rather produced beyond the membrane at the tip; feet small and quite free from the wings. “The female pale yellow, with brown tips to the hair of the upper parts.” The figures are of the natural size. 4 “deter hain acide ate aacae A Ae TE RE A Ee = i RA tg EN OR aril A - ns NYCTOPHILUS GEOFFROYYI, Zeach * | J bevdd. and WC Peichterrdel ob bith. Nedlerrarrude b Walton, Lag NYCTOPHILUS GEOFFROYI, Leach*. Geoffroy’s Nyctophilus. Nyctophilus Geoffroyi, Leach in Linn. Trans., vol. xii. p. 73, 1820-22.—Less. Man. de Mamm., p. 86, 1827.— Fisch. Synops. Mamm., p. 135, 1829.—Temm. Mon., tom. il. p. 47, 1835-41.—Wagn. Supp. Schreib. Saugeth., tom. ii. p. 442, 1840.—Less. Nouv. Tab. Régn. Anim., p. 33, 1842.—Schinz, Synops. Mamm., tom. i. p. 217, 1844.—Tomes in Proc. of Zool. Soc., part xxvi. p. 29. Since my plate and description of the animal I have called Myctophilus Geoffroyi were printed, Mr. Tomes has very minutely investigated this group of bats, and published a monograph of the genus, and he now considers that the hint I there gave as to the probability of the species from Western Australia and Tas- mania being distinct is a correct view of the case, and has come to the conclusion that the Western Australian species is the true MV. Geofroyi, and consequently that the animal from New South Wales, formerly figured by me under that name, should receive a new appellation; and he has accordingly named it after myself, V. Gould. It is much to be regretted that this conclusion should not have been arrived at before my plate and description were printed, as the synonymy of the New South Wales V. Gould has reference to the animal here represented, which is a native of Western Australia ; however as Mr. Tomes’s opinions are of value, and entitled to be recorded in this or any other work comprising an account of any of the members of the family Vespertilionide, 1 will quote his own words :— «This, from its size,” says Mr. Tomes, “is unquestionably the species on which Dr. Leach established the genus. The original description in the Linnean Transactions is much too vague to discriminate the exact species with certainty; but M. Temminck having become possessed of the original specimen, and given a more detailed description of it, I am enabled to determine with certainty which is the true N. Geoffroy.” Mr. Gilbert states that this species is called Bar-ba-lon by the aborigines of King George’s Sound, and Bad mbe by the natives of Perth, and that it is the most abundant species in the colony of Western Australia. It is sometimes met with by the wood-cutters in the hollow spouts of the gum-trees in great numbers ; from these retreats they emerge at twilight and flit about the shrubs and lower trees in search of insects. The following is Mr. Tomes’s description :— «The face is moderately hairy, the hairs being pretty regularly scattered, but a little thicker on the upper lips and on the second nose-leaf than elsewhere ; immediately over the eye is a small tuft of bristle-like black hairs, and a similar one near the hinder corner of the eye; at the angle of the mouth a few similar hairs may be observed; the fur of the back extends to a very trifling extent on to the interfemoral membrane, but all the other membranes are perfectly naked and of a dark brown colour, as are also all the other naked parts, with the exception of the tragus and the contiguous parts of the inside of the ear, which are brownish yellow. The fur of the body is rather long, thick, and very soft; on all the upper parts it is conspicuously bicoloured, black for nearly two-thirds of its length, the remainder being olive brown, of which the extreme tips are rather the darker portion ; on the membranes uniting the ears the fur is uniform yellowish brown ; the fur of the throat and flanks is uniform brownish white, that of the latter being sometimes more strongly tinted with brown; all the remaining underparts have the fur markedly bicoloured black at the base, with the terminal third brownish white, varying considerably in purity of colonr in different individuals.” “This description,” says Mr. Tomes, ‘“ was taken from a specimen kindly lent to me by Mr. Gould, and which is labelled ‘ Albany, King George’s Sound, May 19, 1843.” The figures are of the natural size. ' neti) erage = ~ S = te S s s : GEOFFIROY1, Leach TOPEOULUS 4 NYC NMooredd and HC Hechter, let bith. NYCTOPHILUS GEOFFROYL Geoffroy’s Nyctophilus. Nyctophilus Geoffroy, Leach, in Linn. Trans., vol. xiii. p. 78.—Temm. Monog., vol. ii. pl. 34.—Gray, in Mag. of Zool. and Bot., vol. ii. p. 12.—Jd., List of Mamm. in Coll. Brit. Mus., p. 25.—Jd., in Grey’s Journ. of Two Exp. in N.W. and W. Australia, vol. ii. p. 400. Barbastellus Pacificus, Gray, Zool. Misc., vol. 1. p. 38. Nyctinomus , Benn. Cat. of Australian Museum, Sydney, p. 1. no. 2. Tue figures on the accompanying Plate are taken from specimens captured in New South Wales, and I consider it necessary to state this particularly, because the long-eared Bat of Western Australia, though very nearly allied, may prove to be distinct : the specimens I possess from the latter country are larger, and have much more powerful teeth than any examples I have seen from the eastern parts of the continent. I shall therefore speak of the present animal as an inhabitant of New South Wales and Van Diemen’s Land, with a slight doubt as to whether the Tasmanian animal may not be different also, all the specimens I have yet examined being smaller and darker than those from New South Wales or Western Australia. Every mammalogist is aware how closely the Vespertilionide are allied, and how difficult it is to obtain correct information respecting the species inhabiting our own country. I may therefore be readily excused for not coming to a hasty conclusion on the subject of those of the antipodes : one thing is certain, namely, that the animal figured is identical with the specimens in the British Museum which were received from New South Wales, and to which I find the name of Geoffroy: attached. I frequently saw this animal during my sojourn in New South Wales, and remarked that it was a high flier and extremely active in the air; in other respects, as may be supposed, it closely assimilated in its actions and economy to the nearly allied species in Europe. As the figures in the accompanying Plate are the size of life, it will be unnecessary to give the admeasurements. The face is fleshy brown, deepening into dark brown on the nose and laterally expanded nose-leaf ; fur clothing the upper surface brown, that of the under surface greyish brown, washed with rufous on the sides ; ears and wing-membranes purplish brown. } Sbould unk Hl Leichter, del. et lithe. NYCTOPHILUS UNICOLOR, Jomes. Hudisnasedel & Walton, trp. 0. pop I a ina ati oT! het 2 Si oy ae a ae NYCTOPHILUS UNICOLOR, Tomes. Tasmanian Nyctophilus. Nyctophilus unicolor, Tomes in Proc. of Zool. Soc., part xxvi. p. 33. «Aut the specimens of this genus I have yet seen from Van Diemen’s Land,” says Mr. Tomes, “ differ remarkably from those of the mainland of Australia, in having the fur everywhere short and cottony, perfectly devoid of lustre, and unicoloured; that of the upper parts is of a dark olive-brown without any variation of tint, excepting that it is perhaps a little darker along the middle of the back than elsewhere ; beneath the fur is similar but paler in colour, with the tips of the hairs a little tinged with ash-colour ; this is the colour of the whole of the under parts, with the exception of a patch on the throat, which is whitish brown, dirty white, and occasionally pure white. ‘Immature examples often have the fur above and beneath of a very dark olive-brown, almost black. One specimen of this dark colour which I have examined has the spot on the throat almost pure white. ‘So far as I have been able to ascertain, this species is subject to very trifling variations, either in colour or size in the adult state; and the size agrees so closely with that of the species which I have called N. Gouldi, that I at first thought the great difference in the texture and colour of the fur was due to the difference of locality.” . To this description I have nothing to add. The specimens in my collection were transmitted from Tasmania to this country by Ronald C. Gunn, Esq., a gentleman who has done much to enrich our know- ledge of natural history. The upper figure is of the natural size, the lower one somewhat reduced. a irg eit Lb oul anil MC Piackter, del. ob bette. NYCTOPHILUS TIMORIENSIS., Hidbrmeanidel & Widtor Ly Va NYCTOPHILUS TIMORIENSIS. Western Nyctophilus. Vespertilio Timoriensis, Geoff. Ann. du Mus., tom. viii. p. 200. tab. 47, 1806.—Desm. Mamm., p. 146, 1820.— Fisch. Synop. Mamm., p. 118, 1829.—Temm. Mon., tom. ii. p. 253, 1835-41.—Wagn. Supp. Schreib. Saugth., tom, i. p. 520, 1840.—Schinz, Synop. Mamm., tom. i. p. 175, 1844. ?, Temm. Mus. Leyd. Plecotus Timoriensis, Less. Man. de Mamm., p. 97, 1827.—Is. Geoff. in Guérin, Mag. de Zool. 1832.— Less. Nouv. Tab. Regn. Anim., p. 23, 1842. Nyctophilus Timoriensis, Tomes in Proc. of Zool. Soc., part xxvi. p. 30. Bam-ba, Aborigines of Perth in Western Australia. Ir is believed by Mr. Tomes that this species of Bat, although bearing the name of Zimoriensis, is never found in Timor, but that its true habitat is Western Australia; certain it is that it was there found by Mr. Gilbert, who states that it is very abundant in the neighbourhood of Perth, that it often flies into the houses, doubtless attracted by the light, and that its flight is extremely rapid. ‘Although the original specimen of this species,” says Mr. Tomes, ‘is reported to have been received from Timor, I am inclined to believe that there may have been some mistake respecting its locality. Among a great number of Bats from that island, contained in our museums and in that of Leyden, representatives -of this genus do not appear ; but specimens absolutely identical with the original in the Paris Collection have been obtained by Mr. Gould from Western Australia, and I have noted one in the Leyden Museum also from Australia, but without any precise indication of locality. ‘The forms of this species are so similar to those of V. Geoffroy, that it is needless to enter at greater length into details of description than is necessary to point out the differences between the two. “In all the specimens I have been able to examine, viz. the original one in the Paris Museum, and three others collected in Australia by Mr. Gould, the ears are strongly sulcated, even more so than is observable in the Plecotus auritus, whilst in the VV. Geoffroyi they are very faintly if at all marked; and instead of the small tufts of bristle-like hairs about the eyes, the present species has a tolerably regular series of similar ones fringing the eyelids. ‘But the great difference in the size of the two animals is alone sufficient to distinguish them, the one being only nine inches in expanse, whilst the other attains fully thirteen inches; nearly as great a difference as exists between the Pipistrelle and the Noctule Bats. “The fur of the upper parts is bicoloured, nearly black at the base, with the terminal half dark sepia- brown ; that on the top of the head and on the membrane uniting the ears, unicoloured and paler ; beneath, the fur has the basal half nearly black, the remainder being light brown, palest on the throat, on the middle of the belly, and on the pubes; on the shoulder of one example from Perth, Western Australia, is a patch of brownish rust-colour, but it does not occur in the other examples. ‘This animal has been repeatedly described as a Vespertecho—V. Timoriensis ; but it is strictly a Nycto- philus, as I have ascertained by the examination of the original specimen in the Paris Museum.” The figure is of the size of life. Sf Gray. LDI, TS GOvU! OGG ie SCOTO Hidlmanded & Walton, Frp. J troudd and HU Lechter, deb et Lith SCOTOPHILUS GOULDI, Gray. Gould’s Bat. Scotophilus Gouldii, Gray in Grey’s Journ. of Discoveries in Australia, App. vol. ii. p. 405.—Ib. List of Mamm. in Coll. Brit. Mus., p. 30. Tus fine species of Bat is very generally dispersed over New South Wales, and, I believe, South Australia ; but, as yet, I have only seen examples from the districts of the former country lying between the mountain ranges and the sea, where it frequents the outskirts of the brushes and the wooded borders of the great rivers. It may be readily distinguished by the upper half of the body being black, while the lower is suffused with brown; and by the hairs of the latter hue on the under surface being lengthened, and extending on to the arms and wing-membranes. It appears, however, to be subject to considerable variation in colour, some being parti-coloured as described, while in others the black predominates ; others again, from Flinders’ Range in South Australia, have the brown tint reaching nearly to the nape on the upper surface and to the chest on the under surface. I have some specimens also from this locality with a good deal of brown on the chin and throat. I was for some time inclined to consider the Flinders’ Range specimens to be distinct; but, on submitting them to the inspection of Mr. Tomes, who has paid the most minute attention to this group of animals, that gentleman states that he considers them to be identical, and that the mere variation in colour, unaccompanied by a difference in structure, is not sufficient to warrant their separation. . The anterior half of the body, both above and beneath, is sooty-black; the posterior half of the upper surface brown; sides and abdomen brownish fawn-colour ; wing-membranes purplish-brown. The figures are of the natural size. JGould and UC Rechter, del & blithe TOPHILUS MOIRIO, Gay Lullrunded & Walton, Lyp. y P| ry a H } t Sait nT oe op nel er ican etm SST oie: orsaciea mente: SCOTOPHILUS MORIO, Gray. Chocolate Bat. Scotophilus morio, Gray in Grey’s Journ. of Discoveries in Australia, App. vol. ii. p. 405.—Ib. List of Mamm. in Coll. Brit. Mus., p. 29. Tuts species is about the size of Scotophilus Gould, but differs in having larger ears, and in the colouring of the entire body being of a uniform chocolate-brown. It is very common in New South Wales, between Moreton Bay and Sydney, and Mr. Gilbert states that it also mhabits Western Australia. I have not, however, his specimens to compare with those from New South Wales ; its inhabiting the western coast must therefore rest upon his authority; if his assertion be correct, its range will probably be found to extend over the whole of the southern portion of the country. The animal Mr. Gilbert describes is called by the natives Bam-be, and in his notes he says that “it is rather uncommon, but may be readily recognized by its habit of flying at a great elevation, and generally around the branches of the loftiest Eucalypti.” The whole of the fur of both the upper and under surface of a uniform checolate-brown, becoming some- what darker. or nearly black on the cheeks ; wing-membranes purplish-brown. The figures are of the natural size. SCOTOPHILUS MICRODON, Zomes Tlould and Ml Richter, del.cé lithe, Fiudltrreandel kWinltor, [rp. SCOTOPHILUS MICRODON, Tomes. Small-toothed Bat. Scotophilus microdon, Tomes in Proc. of Zool. Soc., part XXvil. p. 68.—Ann. and Mag. Nat. Hist., 3rd ser. vol. v. p- 50. Mr. Tomes has very kindly favoured me with the loan of a specimen of the Bat represented in the accom- panying Plate, for the purpose of enriching the ‘Mammals of Australia.’ This gentleman, believing the species to be entirely new to science, has characterized it in the ‘ Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London’ for the year 1859, and I cannot perhaps do better than reproduce Mr. Tomes’s account of the species, a course which I feel assured will be approved of by every mammalogist, from the confidence we all place in the investigations made by that gentleman. «The present species is one having the same subgeneric characters as the common Pepistrelle of Europe and the Scot. Greyii and S. pumilus of Australia. To the latter species it is, by the form of its head and ears, most nearly affined, but may at once be distinguished from it by its greater size and by its smaller teeth. «The crown is but little elevated above the facial line; but the muzzle, although short, is more pointed than is usual in the flat-crowned species. The ears are very small, nearly as broad as high, with the outer margin slightly hollowed out about the middle, below which is a faintly developed lobe, and immediately above which is the tip of the ear,—the latter being obtusely angular, and directed outwards. The inner margin is very much rounded, especially at two-thirds of the distance from the base, where the convexity is sO prominent as to be quite as high as the tip itself, the portion between this prominence and the tip being nearly horizontal. Altogether the ear bears some resemblance to that of Miniopterts. Scot. puiilus is the only species which has ears of form similar to those of the present species; but they are, although the species is smaller, rather larger, relatively longer, and have their tips less outwardly directed and more rounded. The tragus, as in all others of this group, is curved inwards, and rounded at the end ; but it differs from that of some others in being rather widest in the middle. ‘In relation to the size of the animal, the wings are rather ample, and rather broad for their length, the fourth finger (that which determines the breadth of the wing) being longer than the two basal phalanges of the longest finger. All the wing-bones are somewhat slender. The thumb is rather long, not quite half enveloped in the membrane. “The legs are rather long and slender, the tibize being quite as long as in S. Gouddi, a species of greater size than the present; they are just twice the length of those of S. pumilus. The feet are large, about the length of those of S. Lezslert of Europe, the toes taking up half their entire length, and the wing-membranes extending to half the distance between the extremity of the tibia and the base of the toes. Tip of the tail enclosed in the membrane. ‘«The-fur of the head extends to rather near the end of the nose; and the upper lips are furnished with moustaches; so that the only naked space is around and in front of the eye. ‘The fur of the back does not extend on to the interfemoral membrane, and only to a very limited extent on those of the wings; but that of the under parts encroaches on the membranes all round the body, especially beneath the arms, where it reaches nearly to the elbow. A straight line from that jot to the knee would pretty accurately define the hairy portions of the wing-membranes. “In quality the fur is soft, and rather long, bicoloured above and beneath. That ofthe back of a specimen from South Australia is dark brown at the root, with the terminal half of the hairs reddish brown, uniformly of the latter colour around the rump and on the flanks; beneath, dark brown at the root, with the terminal third light cinnamon-brown, that on the membranes paler and unicoloured. Membranes lightish brown. « Another specimen from Van Diemen’s Land differs only from the last in being much darker in colour ; the fur of the upper parts black at the root, tipped with sepia-brown ; beneath, the same, but the brown tips lighter and more tinged with rufous, especially that on the membranes and around the pubal region, where it is unicoloured and reddish brown. “The teeth of this species, although not sufficiently examined to furnish a comparative description, are nevertheless seen at a glance to be of very small size, not only in reference to the size of the animal, but also actually smaller than those of several other species of much less size, such as S. ¢frilatitius, S. lobatus, and .§. abramis; hence the specific name of microdon here bestowed upon it.” The figure is of the natural size. ~SCOTOPHILLUS PICATUS, Gould Gould & Richter, del. tt: Hallrrandd & Walton, np SCOTOPHILUS PICATUS, Gowda. Pied Scotophilus. Vespertilio—-Little Black Bat, Sturt, Exp. into Central Australia, vol. ii. App., p. 9. Scotophilus picatus, Gould in Proc. of Zool. Soc., 1852. Tus pretty little Bat, which is the smallest and one of the most interesting of the true Scofophili inhabiting Australia, is so rare, that the single specimen, procured by my friend Captain Sturt, during his late hazardous journey towards the centre of that country, is the only one that has come under my notice; and all the in- formation at present known respecting it is contained in the following note, given in the Appendix to the second volume of Captain Sturt’s valuable account of his expedition quoted above :— «This diminutive little animal flew into my tent at the depot, attracted by the light. It is not common in that locality, or any other that we visited. It was of a deep black in colour, and had smaller ears than usual.” The whole of the fur both of the upper and under surface deep glossy black, with the exception of a crescentic mark of white which bounds the sides and the lower part of the abdomen; wing and tail membranes purplish brown. The figures are of the natural size. " iz ayn a 1.00 ba sate Fi ee et Pe ee, eS ld aay Ee iene a, oo ee ee en ee ee a gee rss sg anal sly inc cect moa ae ea rp Moet CSI ISL SEAR eR Se SN ATE TET RS RN PA A NO EEA ACE BR i iS Ss < Ss rs & = hs nS IN 5 & iS SCOTOPHILUS NIGROGRISEUS , Could J Gould and HC fachier, dd ot beth. SCOTOPHILUS NIGROGRISEUS, Gowda. Blackish-grey Scotophilus. A very fine specimen of this Bat was sent to me by Mr. Strange, who collected it in the neighbourhood of Moreton Bay. In size it is about equal to the Scotophelus picatus, to which it bears a close resemblance, but from which it is quite distinct. The S. picatus is an inhabitant of the distant interior, where it was collected by Captain Sturt in the neighbourhood of his farthest encampment, when he endeavoured to reach the centre of the continent from South Australia; the present animal, on the other hand, habits the country near the coast; it will be seen therefore that the two species affect very different localities. The specimen from which my figure was taken will hereafter be deposited in the British Museum, where it may be examined by any mammalogist who may be desirous of investigating the smgular group of animals to which it pertains. I may add, that Mr. Tomes, who has paid much attention to this group, coincides with me in considering it to be a new and distinct species from any previously described. Fur soft and velvety to the touch, the general hue greyish-black, becoming somewhat paler on the posterior part of the upper surface ; abdomen washed with brown, and fading into very light brown on the vent; wing- and tail-membranes purplish-brown. The figures are of the natural size. SCOTOPHILUS GREY, Gray. TGedd and H.C Reehter del. of hth, Hidirmunded & Valiory, timp SCOTOPHILUS GREYIJ, Gray. Grey’s Scotophilus. Scotophilus Greyii, Gray, List. of Mamm. in Coll. Brit. Mus., p. 30.—Ib. Zool. of Voy. of Erebus and Terror, pl. 20, fig. 2. Turs diminutive species was named by Dr. Gray in his “ List of the Specimens of Mammalia in the Collec- tion of the British Museum,” and was also figured, as above stated, in the “ Voyage of the Erebus and Terror.” It is said to be a very rare species, and not to have been hitherto found in any other part of Australia than Port Essington. Dr. Gray has given it the above appellation in honour of Sir George Grey, the present Governor of the Cape of Good Hope, to whom such a tribute is justly due for his devotion to the natural sciences generally: from his enlightened views much good has already accrued to every com- munity over which Sir George has had influence, and, as a traveller, he must be considered one of the most intrepid of England’s sons. The fur of this little animal is of a light reddish brown, somewhat paler on the under than on the upper surface; the nose is reddish flesh colour, and the wing-membranes of the usual purplish brown, as seen in other members of the genus. The figures are of the natural size. J Gould and HC Richter, del. ot bith SCOTOPHILUS PUMILUS, Cray, Hicdpeacanll & Welton, lrap. fl i: i i f SCOTOPHILUS PUMILUS, Gray. Little Bat. Scotophilus pumilus, Gray in App. to Grey’s Two Exp. in N.W. Australia, vol. ii. p. 406.—Ib. List of Mamm. in Brit. Mus., p. 30. Auruovuex the Vespertilionide are fairly represented in Australia, the species inhabiting that country are not very numerous. The Bat here represented is certainly one of the very least of the Australian members of the family, for it scarcely exceeds in size the European Pipistrelle. It was my usual practice when travelling in Australia to look around me during the last half-hour of daylight for Bats, at which to discharge the contents of my gun before retiring to my tent, and by this means several species were collected, which might otherwise even now be unknown in Europe. It was not, however, always necessary to shoot this little animal, for it is very tame, and my black attendants often amused themselves by cutting it down with a switch as it passed before them, or rapidly skimmed over the water, a frequent habit with it. I found it especially abundant on the upper part of the River Hunter, particularly on the banks of the rivulets descending from the mountain ranges. I have never heard of the Scotophilus pumilus being collected by any one but myself, and I regret to say that I am unable to give any details as to its habits and economy. Fur of the upper surface greyish-brown, and of a darker or blackish hue at the base; under surface paler; cheeks blackish ; wing-membranes purplish-brown. The figures are of the natural size. Tc a VES PRIA TIL LO MACROPUS , Goud | Lbculd ond C Richter deb cb ddr. - ; Hidtnandel & Nite, Imp RETA a VESPERTILIO MACROPUS, Gowda. Great-footed Bat. Mr. Tomes having carefully examined my collection of Bats, and come to the conclusion that this animal has not been described, I have, in accordance with his views, characterized it as distinct. It is a native of South Australia, in every respect a true Vespertiio, and remarkable for having rather lengthened and elegantly-formed ears, a delicately-constructed body, large wings, and very large hind feet, whence its specific name; besides these peculiarities it is also distinguished from every other Australian Bat by the hoary colouring of its fur, particularly on the lower part of the abdomen, where it is nearly white; it appears, however, subject to some variation in this respect, as in one of my specimens the hoary tint gives place to a pale reddish hue; but I believe hoary to be the prevailing colour. General tint of the fur greyish-brown, becoming hoary on the posterior parts of the body, especially on the lower part of the abdomen, whence it gradually becomes paler, and fades into buffy-white on the vent ; wing-membranes light brown. The figures are of the size of life. VESPERTILIO TASMANENSES, I Gould ond H.C Richter del. et Gth . Hidimandd ¢ Walton Ing VESPERTILIO TASMANIENSIS. Tasmanian Bat. Noctulina Tasmanensis, Gray, List of Mamm. in Coll. Brit. Mus., p. 194. Ir would appear that this species enjoys an unusually wide range of habitat; for not only does it inhabit Tasmania, but, according to Mr. Tomes, it is also found in the Philippines, and even on the continent of India. Had I not known that Mr. Tomes had closely investigated the Vespertilionidee, and that from his intimate knowledge of the subject he is considered an authority in such matters, I should have hesitated to make this statement. On submitting my drawings to Mr. Tomes, he suggested that the ears should be a little more indented on the lower side, after the manner of the Notch-eared Bat of Europe; but the Plate having been printed, this could not be attended to. The specimen from which my figure was taken is in the British Museum. The fur of this species is of a light brown hue, with a slight tinge of olive, and is lighter on the alee than on the upper surface; the wing-membranes and the interior of the ear are of the usual purplish-brown hue; the nose and lips reddish flesh colour. The figure is of the natural size. Soman WI) 10 720 Ley NEY J} PUD popioy ys a : o PILL OT STOW Tell aD OL DW ARCTOCEPHALUS LOBATUS. Cowled Seal. Otaria cinerea, Gray in King’s Narrat. Australia, vol. ii. p. 413.—Id. in Griff. Anim. Kingd., vol. v. p. 183 (not Péron?), 1827. Arctocephalus lobatus, Gray, Spic. Zool., i. t. (skull).—Bull. Sci. Nat., vol. xvi. p. 113.—J. Brookes’s Cat. Mus., p. 37, 1828.—Gray, Zool. of Ereb. and Terror, Mamm., pl. 16, p. 4.—Id. Cat. of Spec. of Mamm. in Coll. Brit. Mus., part ii., Seals, p. 44.—Id. Proc. of Zool. Soc., part xxvii. p. 110. Phoca lobata, Fisch. Syn., vol. ii. p. 574. Otaria Laman, J. Miill. Wieg. Archiv, 1843, p. 334 ? Otaria stelleri, (Mus. Leyden, 1845) Faun. Japon., t. 21, 22, 23 (animal), t. 22. fig. 3 (skull). Otaria jubata, part, Gray, Cat. of Osteol. Coll. of Brit. Mus., p. 33. Tuere is perhaps no one group of the Mammals of Australia so little understood as the Seals; hence it is very gratifying when we are able to obtain any reliable information respecting the species that visit the rocky shores of that continent and the adjacent islands. As I did not see many of these animals during my visit to Australia, I must content myself with letting those who have say what they know of the subject, taking care that the animals are correctly figured, and that the passages quoted are correctly applied. I would also remark that the list of synonyms are given on the authority of Dr. Gray’s ‘ List of the Seals contained in the Collection of the British Museum ;’ and as this gentleman has paid much attention to the Seals of the Southern Ocean, I have no doubt that they may be depended upon. The specimens spoken of by Mr. Gilbert, in the note from his MSS. given below, as having been procured by him on the Houtmann’s Abrolhos, as well as the one which Mr. Angus mentions as killed by Sir George Grey in Rivoli Bay, are all in the British Museum; and it is from these specimens that my figures are taken. There is but little doubt in Dr. Gray’s mind that Mr. Gilbert’s specimens from the Houtmann’s Abrolhos are the female or young of the much larger male shot by Sir George Grey in Rivoli Bay, although the latter is twice the size of the former, being fully ten feet in length and as large in girth as a moderate- sized horse. No great length of time has elapsed since the islands in Bass’s Straits and the south coast of Australia were first visited by the sealers; but in that comparatively short interval they have dealt out destruction among these inoffensive animals to such an extent that they are now all but exterminated. Collins (in 1798, when his account of New South Wales was published) mentions that “The rocks towards the sea were covered with Fur-Seals of great beauty, of a species which seemed to approach nearest to that known to naturalists as the Falkland Island’s Seal.” Few, if any, are now to be seen there. “Tn the collection I now send you,” says Mr. Gilbert, ‘ you will receive eight Seals, of various sizes, the largest of which is a mature male, though it is not so large, bya third, as the very old ones, of which I saw several, but could not obtain either of them. Among them is a half-grown male and a full-grown female ; the others are young animals, and the smallest a suckling. «This animal is extremely numerous on all the low islands of the Houtmann’s Abrolhos, particularly those having sandy beaches; but it does not confine itself to such places, being often found on the ridges of coral and madrepores, over which we found it very painful walking, but over which the Seals often outran us. On many of the islands they have been so seldom (perhaps, indeed, never before) disturbed, that I frequently came upon several females and their young in a group under the shade of the mangroves ; and so little were they alarmed, that they allowed me to approach almost within the reach of my gun, when the young would play about the old ones, and bark and growl at us in the most amusing manner; and it was only when we struck at them with clubs that they showed any disposition to attack us, or defend their young. The males, however, would generally attack the men when attempting to escape: but, generally speaking, the animal may be considered harmless; for even after being disturbed they seldom attempt to do more than take to the water as quickly as possible. They differ much in colour, the males being con- siderably darker than the females.” I am indebted to Mr. G. F. Angus for a drawing of this animal, taken from the specimen killed by Sir George Grey, as mentioned above. “¢T send you,” says Mr. Angus, ‘‘a sketch of the Seal killed by Sir George Grey, while Governor of South Australia, in Rivoli Bay, on the south-east coast of that colony. I was with Sir George when it was shot and afterwards clubbed, and made my sketch, and took its admeasurements on the spot after death.” Dr. Gray states that this species and the 4. Hookeri “ are called Hair-Seals by the sealers because they are destitute of any under fur ; but this appears to be the case only with the older specimens, for the young of J. lobatus is said to be covered with soft fur, which falls off when the next coat of hair is developed. The under fur is entirely absent in the half-grown 4. /odatus in the British Museum collection.” The adult has the face, front and sides of the neck, all the under surface, sides, and back dark or blackish brown, passing into dark slaty grey on the extremities of the limbs; the hinder half of the crown, the nape and back of the neck rich deep fawn-colour ; eyes black. In the young a reverse of this colouring occurs, the upper surface being dark, and the face and under surface buff. : STENORHYNCHUS LEPTONYX. Sea Leopard. 3 Phoca Leptonyx, Blainv. Journ. Phys., vol. xci. p. 288, 1820.—Desm. Mamm., p. 247.—Cuv. Oss. Foss., vol.v. p. 208. t. 18. fig. 2.—Gray in Griff. Anim. Kingd., vol. v. p. 178.—Blainv. Ostéogr., Phoca, t. 1, and t. 4. fig. (skull).—F. Cuv. Dent. Mamm., p. 118. t. 38.4. Seal from New Georgia, Home, Phil. Trans. 1822, p. 240. t. 29 (skull). Phoque quatriéme, Blainv.in Desm. Mamm., p. 243 (note).—Cuv. Oss. Foss., vol. v. p. 207. Stenorhynchus Leptonyx, F. Cuv. Dict. Sci. Nat., vol. xxxix. p. 549. t.44.—Ib. Mém. Mus., vol. xi. p. 190. t. 13. fig. 1. —Ib. Dent. Mamm., p. 118. t. 38.4.—Nilsson, Wieg. Archiv, vol. vii. p.307.—Ib. Scand. Faun., t. .— Gray, Zool. of Ereb. and Terror, Mamm.., t. 3 (animal), t. 4 (skull) p. 4.—Ib. Cat. of Osteol. Spec. in Brit. Mus., p. 31.—Blainv. Ostéogr., Phoca, t. 5. fig. 9 (teeth and skull).—Gray, Cat. of Spec. of Mamm. in Brit. Mus., part ii., Seals, p. 13. Phoca Homei, Less. Dict. Class. Nat. Hist., vol. xiii. p. 417. The small-nailed Seal, Hamilton Smith in Jard. Nat. Hist. Mamm., vol. viii. p. 180. t. 11. Stenorhynchus aux petits ongles, Homb. et Jacq. Voy. a Pole Sud, t. 9. Phoca ursina, or Sea Bear, Polack. Sea Leopard of the Whalers. Upon landing on the sandy beach of one of the quiet bays of Port Arthur, Tasmania, I found myself between the salt water and a huge specimen of the Seal figured on the accompanying Plate; of course, as I had never seen the animal before, it was not to be lost without a struggle; and, after a slight resistance on the part of the animal, a strong cord was fastened round its neck, with the view of towing it after my boat and killing it by drowning, that the specimen might not be injured; but the attempt at dispatching the animal by this means proved futile, as the more it was towed through the water, the more it appeared to gain strength, and other means of depriving it of life had to be resorted to. I have notices of two other specimens having been taken on the south coast of Australia, almost in the immediate neighbourhood of Sydney. For the particulars of their capture, as well as for a very fine drawing of the species, I am indebted to Mr. G. F. Angas, who made the latter immediately after the death of one of them. I mention these solitary instances of its occurrence, because I have reason to believe that the animal is not common in the localities mentioned. The note accompanying Mr. Angas’s drawing is somewhat interesting, inasmuch as it informs us that the stomach of the Seal contained a specimen of that remarkable animal the Ornithorhynchus. ““We have lately added to our Museum Collection,” says Mr. Angas, “a fine specimen of an adult Sea Leopard (Stenorhynchus Leptonyx), killed some miles above the salt water in the Shoalhaven River; it had an Ornithorhynchus in its stomach when captured ; it is much larger than one killed on Newcastle Beach. The dentition is exactly the same as that of the animal figured under the name above-mentioned in the ‘Zoology of the Voyage of the Erebus and Terror.’ ” I am again obliged to remark that the above list of synonyms is given on the authority of Dr. Gray. For my own part, I have not been able to give sufficient attention to the subject to vouch for their cor- rectness, but Dr. Gray’s well-won reputation will be a sufficient guarantee in this respect. This species of Seal is of a more lengthened or slender form than the Arctocephalus lobatus ; its length is about ten feet, and its weight probably four hundred pounds. The general colouring of the animal is greenish creamy white, becoming of a dark slaty hue on the head and back, and speckled with the same dark hue on the sides. evr iat Be eae: eau eect eta ees a aia . és eae hese nid Ape Wi Ta S nie 3 a fi Rees = a ’ ¥ U eee nee sche tig baie hates asp ty set Rie Orie ee aes ahh Te SASS ae ASE Gece ere enna aa es ai meme np spasaaiose — ipa nanan mactea imams Lilizrwadal £ Walior, lp. CANIS DINGO, Zhament JTould anal C Pichitr, bl, 0 C2. CANIS DINGO, Blumenb. The Dingo. Heap, OF THE SIZE OF LIFE. THE opposite life-sized head of the Dingo, or native Australian Dog, is portrayed so faith- fully, through the talent of Messrs. Richter and Krefft, that I am certain no one will regret my giving two plates of this animal: whether the head be viewed as a zoological illustration or as a work of art, it must be equally acceptable. The natural history of the Dingo is so fully entered into in the letter-press accompanying the reduced figures, both from my own observation of the animal in a state of nature and from the writings of previous authors, that to recapitulate them here would be super- fluous; I therefore refer my readers to that account. Tt will be seen that the animal is subject to much variety of colour; I might therefore have multiplied the plates to almost any extent; but such a measure would have been of very questionable utility: I have therefore confined myself to one representing the normal style of colouring. D2 TP WUD 7020 Vyas “2 LM ULE A EMEC, CANIS DINGO, Blumenb. The Dingo. Canis Dingo, Blumenb.—Shaw, vol. i. pl. 76.—Gray, List of Spec. of Mamm. in Coll. Brit. Mus., p. 57. Ffamiharis, var. Australasie, Desm.—Benn. Gard. and: Menag. of Zool. Soc. del., vol. i. p. 51, with fig. Chrysaus Australia, Lieut.-Col. Hamilton Smith in Jard. Nat. Lib. Dogs, vol. i. p. 188. pl. 10. ‘‘Wueruer the numberless breeds of dogs, which are the companions of the human race in every region of the globe, were originally descended from one common stock, and owe their infinite varieties solely to their complete domestication, the modifications by which they are distinguished having been gradually produced by the influence of circumstances,—whether, on the contrary, they are derived from the intermixture of dif- ferent species, now so completely blended together as to render it impossible to trace out the line of their descent,—and whether on either supposition the primeval race or races still exist in a state of nature, are questions which have baffled the ingenuity of the most celebrated naturalists. Theory after theory has been advanced, and the problem is still as eagerly debated as ever, and with as little probability of arriving at a satisfactory conclusion. In the investigation of this difficult subject, however, as in the search after the philosopher’s stone, many curious facts have been brought to light which would otherwise in all probability have remained buried in obscurity ; and the causes which are continually operating to produce a gradual change of character, both in outward form and in intellectual capacity, among the brute creation, have received considerable elucidation. It is thus that theories, however erroneous in themselves, are frequently made subservient to the advancement of science, by the important facts which are incidentally developed by their authors in the ardour of their zeal for the establishment of a favourite hypothesis.” Such are the words of the late Edward Turner Bennett at the commencement of his paper on the history of the Dingo in ‘The Gardens and Menagerie of the Zoological Society delineated.” Agreeing with Mr. Bennett in the impossibility of arriving at a satisfactory conclusion on the subject, I feel that I cannot close the present work without giving a figure and description of an animal which forms so prominent a feature in the fauna of Australia. It may be expected also that I should myself have formed some opinion as to its claim to be regarded as indigenous or otherwise ; and if this opinion should be at variance with those of some Australian zoologists who have lately written on the subject, I may state that it has not been formed without due con- sideration. Without going into the probable origin of this particular race of dogs, or offering reasons why it should not be considered as indigenous, I may briefly state that I believe it has followed the black man in his wanderings from Northern Asia through the Indian Islands to Australia, the southern portion of which country appears to be its boundary in this direction; for I believe it has never been found in Van Diemen’s Land in the wild or semi-wild state in which it occurs on the Australian continent. From what I saw of the animal in a state of nature, I could not but regard it in the light of a variety to which the course of ages had given a wildness of air and disposition; indeed it appeared to have all the habits of a skulking low-bred dog, and none of the determined air and ferocity of disposition of the wolf or jackal: in confirmation of this opinion, I may cite the facility with which the natives bring it under subjection, and the parti-colouring of its hairy coat; for although the normal colouring is red or reddish sand- colour; black, or black and white, individuals are not unfrequently seen; and that this variation in the colouring is not due to crossing with the domesticated races introduced when the country was first a work published 9 discovered, is proved by the following passage in the Appendix to “ Collins’s Voyage,’ soon after the colonization of New South Wales, where he says, “the dogs of this country are of the jackal species ; they never bark, are of two colours, the one red, with some white about it, the other black : some of them were very handsome.” The existence of parti-coloured Dingos is still further confirmed by Mr. Gilbert’s note on the animal, as observed by him in Western Australia: “The Dingo is very common over all parts of this colony. ‘There are a very great number of varieties, varying from reddish brown to black, white, light brown, and black and white.” Now, on the other hand, it may be affirmed that late geological discoveries will set aside the idea of its being a mere variety and tend to prove that this dog existed in Australia even prior to the aborigines ; for it is said that a skeleton of a Dingo has been discovered at Warnamborl, beneath a bed of volcanic ash; but I believe no fossil remains have yet reached this country. The following letter on the subject has been kindly transmitted to me by Mr. Gerard Krefft, a gentleman to whom I am indebted for a beautiful drawing of the head, and an entire figure of the animal sketched either from life or immediately after it was killed :— “Tn reply to your inquiry about the Australian Native Dog, I beg to state that it is proved without a doubt, as far as my own judgment goes, that the Dingo is an original inhabitant of the Australian continent. “There is now, at the Museum in Melbourne, a fossil skull, found with other animal remains in a cave at na Mount Macedon, by Mr. Selwyn, the Geological Surveyor of Victoria. This skull, according to the authority of Professor M‘Coy, is identical with that of the Dingo of the present day. «An article to this effect was published by the learned Professor in the ‘ Argus’ of 1857; but as it is not in my power to consult a file of this Journal, [ am unable to furnish any further particulars. «¢ All the specimens of the Dingo procured by me during my stay at the Lower Murray were distinguished by a white tip at the extremity of the tail, and among the ‘ trophies’ which so generally ornament shepherds’ huts in Australia, I do not recollect to have seen a single tail without the white tip. ‘¢ The black variety is more scarce; the single specimen which I secured was a young bitch, quite black, except the inside of the fore legs and paws and the outside of the hind legs and paws, which were of a tan- colour. The head was more pointed than in the yellow variety, and had a distinct patch of white, about the size of a shilling, on each cheek. ‘“¢T made a drawing of the animal on the spot, and another one of the head, life size ; both sketches are now, I trust, in the hands of Professor M‘Coy. This dog had been prowling about Jamieson’s Station for several nights; it fell at last a victim to strychnine, and I secured its skin.” During my wanderings in Australia I saw much of the Dingo in a state of nature, and can bear testimony to.its great tenacity of life and the consequent difficulty of destroying it. I also witnessed the destructive nature of its habits in various ways, particularly its mode of “rushing” the sheep-fold, when it not only wantonly kills great numbers, but scatters the remainder to such an extent as almost to occasion the loss of the entire flock. It is not altogether for the purpose of supplying the cravings of hunger that the Dingo visits the sheep-pen, but in mere wantonness, dealing out his vengeance right and left with a single bite, which, although not fatal at the moment, the sheep seldom recovers, but lingers and soon dies. Mr. Gilbert states that its more usual mode of attack is to follow a flock of sheep, and when a lamb drops behind to immediately pounce upon and carry it off; and Collins mentions that such is its invincible pre- dilection for poultry, that not even the severest beatings can repress it. «The Dingos, or native dogs, ‘ Warragal’ of the Aborigines,” says Dr. Bennett, ‘‘ are the wolves of the colony, and are perhaps unequalled for cunning. These animals breed in the holes of rocks: a litter was found near Yas Plains, which the discoverer failed to destroy, thinking to return and catch the mother also, and thus exterminate the whole family ; but the ‘old lady’ must have been watching him, for on his return- ing a short time after, he found all the little dingos had been carried away, and he was never able, although diligent search was made in the vicinity, to discover their place of removal. The cunning displayed by these animals, and the agony they can endure without evincing the usual effects of pain, would seem almost incredible, had it not been related by those on whose testimony every dependence can be placed. The following are a few among a number of extraordinary instances. One had been beaten so severely, that it was supposed all the bones were broken, and it was left for dead. Upon the person accidentally looking back, after having walked some distance, his surprise was much excited by seeing ‘ master dingo rise, shake himself, and march into the bush, evading all pursuit. One supposed to be dead was brought into a hut, for the purpose of undergoing ‘decortication ;’ at the commencement of the skinning process upon the face, the only perceptible movement was a slight quivering of the lips, which was regarded at the time as merely muscular irritability: the man, after skinning a very small portion, left the hut to sharpen his knife, and returning, found the animal sitting up, with the flayed integument hanging over one side of the face. Another instance was that of a settler, who, returning from a sporting exhibition with six kangaroo dogs, met with a dingo which was attacked by the dogs and worried to such a degree, that finding matters becoming serious, and that the worst of the sport came to his share, the cunning dingo pretended to be dead ; thinking he had departed the way of all dogs, they gave him a parting shake and left him. Unfor- tunately for the poor dingo, he was of an impatient disposition, and was consequently premature in his resurrection ; for before the settler and his dogs had gone any distance, he was seen to rise and skulk away, but at a slow pace, on account of the rough treatment he had received ; the dogs soon re-attacked him, when he was handled in a manner that must have effectually prevented any resuscitation taking place a second time. The Dingo, like all dogs in a state of nature, never barks, but simply whines, howls, and growls, the explosive noise being only found among the dogs which are domesticated.” I cannot conclude this paper without stating that the Dingo affords considerable exercise and amusement to the Nimrods of Australia, who hunt it precisely as the fox is hunted in England, and for which it forms no mean substitute. The size of the Dingo is about that of the English Fox-hound, but it is much lower on the legs. The accompanying Plates represent the head of the natural size, and the whole animal reduced. a ie = 3 . i \ ee Fs D ~ . ‘ A * — ‘ i - J ‘ va G 4 s Ae wy Australia. (o) IN i) 7.61% UTI u fOL73 mmals of 0 ta) erlsrb The ma & v.3