PERAMELES.

THE bandicoots, which are natives of the vast country of Australia, appear to take there the place of the shrews of the old world. In some respects they approach the kangaroos, but in others differ widely from them. In their movements these animals resemble a rabbit; they do not, like the kangaroos, bound from the hind limbs alone, but arching the back, proceed with a saltigrade gait, that is half-way between running and jumping; or rather by a succession of short leaps from the hind to the fore feet, but not with much speed, nor maintained for a great length of time. The kangaroos make considerable use of the tail, but in the bandicoots it is by no means so important an organ, though it assists them in sitting upright, an attitude usually assumed when eating, the fore paws being brought into use as holders, like those of the squirrel. With these paws they scratch up the earth in search of roots and insects; and it is said that the potato crops of the colonists in some districts suffer from their incursions. They are readily tamed, and in a few days become reconciled and familiar.

Ten species are now known: of these one is a native of New Guinea. The rabbit-eared perameles is found in the Swan River district of Western Australia, the only part of Australia in which it has hitherto been found. Mr. Gould states that this animal is tolerably abundant over the whole extent of the grassy districts in the interior of the Swan River colony, and is usually seen in pairs. It commonly selects those spots where, the soil being loose, it is enabled to excavate its burrows with facility.

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Like the rabbit, it flies to its subterranean retreat for safety when pursued; and as the burrows are both deep and long, frequently eludes the pursuer. Its flesh is sweet, and resembles that of the rabbit.

A specimen kept in the menagerie of the Zoological Society, was very active in the evening, but usually slept during the day-time; when sitting upon its haunches, with its head thrust between its hind legs, it appeared like a large ball of fur. It was an exceedingly savage animal, bit very severely, and would not readily unfix its hold of any thing it happened to seize with its teeth.

The rabbit-eared perameles is about equal in size to the common rabbit, and has a remarkably long and pointed muzzle. The ears are of an elongate oval shape, sparingly covered with minute hairs. The eye is rather small. The fur of the animal is very long and soft; on the upper part of the body it is of a delicate grey hue; on the sides of a pale vinous tint, or red inclining to purple; and on the under parts white. The legs are dusky at the base, but white below; the feet are also white. The tail is rather shorter than the body of the animal, the middle portion black, and the end white.