This very interesting little animal was first made
known by Lieutenant Dale of Liverpool, who discovered it while conducting an exploring party in
the interior of the Swan River settlement, at the
distance of about ninety miles to the south-east of
the mouth of that river. "Two of these animals,"
observes Lieutenant Dale, "were seen within a few miles of each other: they were first observed on the ground, and on being pursued, both directed their flight to some hollow trees which were near.
We succeeded in capturing one of them; the other was unfortunately burnt to death in our endeavour to dislodge it, by fumigating the hollow tree in
which it had taken refuge. The country in which they were found, abounded in decayed trees and ant-hills." Mr. Waterhouse was informed that
others have been seen in the act of burrowing, or
digging at the roots of trees in search after insects.
Their favourite haunts are said to be those in which the Port Jackson willow is abundant.
Family IV. Peramelidæ.
(Bandicoots.)
In their general structure the Perameles,—or Bandicoots, as they are called in Australia,—furnish a link between the Opossums and the Kangaroos, evidently approaching the latter in their form and particularly in the development of the hind-quarters. They agree with the former, however, in having a simple stomach, and in having ten incisors in the upper jaw. Insects have been found in the stomachs of some of the species, while others, as P. lagotis, (Reid) seem to confine themselves
