Natural History: Mammalia/Phalangistadæ
Family VI. Phalangistadæ.
(Phalangers.)
The pretty little animals of this group bear a very obvious analogy to the Squirrels of the Placentalia. Yet in true affinity, they are closely related to the Kangaroos, which we have just dismissed, the small Kangaroo-rats (Hypsiprymnus) affording the connecting link.
The Phalangistadæ possess small canines in the upper jaw; the incisors in both jaws are inclined forward, and those below, and the middle pair above are large and long: the skull in front is shorter, but posteriorly longer than in the preceding Family. The hind-feet have four well-developed toes, all armed with large curved claws, the innermost two of which are united; besides these there is a large opposible thumb, which is destitute of a claw. The fore-feet have five toes, all furnished with strong claws.
The species of this Family have a wider geographical range than most of the Marsupiala; for they extend from Van Diemen's Land to the Moluccas or Spice Islands of the great Indian Archipelago. They are arboreal animals, and consequently are expert climbers, though, contrary to what is usual among climbing animals, their movements are not distinguished by agility. Night is the season of their activity: during the day, they remain concealed in the forks and hollows of the trees, coming forth in the twilight to feed upon the unopened buds and tender leaves, or upon fruits. The species of Van Diemen's Land chiefly select the leaves of the Eucalypti, but Mr. Gunn observes that in the interior the orchards sometimes suffer from the depredations of these animals on the leaves and young shoots. Some specimens procured by MM. Quoy and Gaimard in the Oriental Archipelago, which are said to feed on aromatic fruits, they found in confinement not to refuse cooked flesh.
This Family contains three well-defined general Phalangista, which has the tail prehensile, Petaurus, which has the skin of the sides expanded between the fore and hind limbs, by means of which they can take long leaps supported in the air as by a parachute; and Phascolarctos, a heavy-bodied animal, destitute of a tail. The first two of these bear the same relation to each other as the common Squirrels bear to the Flying Squirrels.
Genus Phalangista. (Cuv.)
The Phalangers are distinguished by having the head rather short; the ears hairy; the fur woolly and short; the tail long, prehensile, sometimes naked at the extremity; the skin of the sides not dilated between the limbs. The arrangement of the teeth is as follows; inc. 62; can. 1—10—0; false mol. 1—11—1; mol. 4—44—4;30: these may be called the constant teeth, but in several species, there are additional small molars, sometimes resembling canines, varying in number from one to three in each jaw.
Notwithstanding the security afforded them by a prehensile tail, the Phalangers are slow and cautious in their motions among the branches. If they suspect themselves to be observed, they are said to suspend themselves by the tail to a branch, and hang with the head downwards, motionless, as if dead; and this artifice is the less improbable, from what we know of the American Opossum's analogous stratagem. It is reported, indeed, that if a man continue to watch one thus suspended, it will continue to hang till the muscles of the tail, no longer able to sustain the weight, relax from extreme fatigue, and the creature drops to the ground.
The flesh of these animals is of delicate flavour; and the fur is highly prized for its thickness and softness; during life, they diffuse an unpleasant odour, like many other marsupial animals.
A very pretty and minute species, the Dormouse Phalanger, (Phalangista gliriformis, Bell) from New Holland, we select for illustration, on account of the pleasing details which Mr. Bell has recorded of the manners of some individuals which he kept in confinement. In size, colour, and general form, it bears a considerable resemblance to the beautiful little rodent after which it is named; the form of the head, however, is different, the nose being much more lengthened and pointed.
"In their habits," observes Mr. Bell, "they are extremely like the dormouse, feeding on nuts
DORMOUSE PHALANGER.
and other similar food, which they hold in their fore-paws, using them as hands. They are nocturnal, remaining asleep during the whole day, or, if disturbed, not easily roused to a state of activity; and coming forth late in the evening, and then assuming their natural rapid and vivacious habits: they run about a small tree which is placed in their cage, using their paws to hold by the branches, and assisting themselves by their prehensile tail, which is always held in readiness to support them, especially when in a descending attitude. Sometimes the tail is thrown in a reverse direction, turned over the back; and at other times, when the weather is cold, it is rolled closely up towards the under part, and coiled almost between the thighs. When eating they sit upon their hind-quarters, holding the food in their fore-paws, which, with the face, are the only parts apparently standing out from the ball of fur, of which the body seems at that time to be composed. They are perfectly harmless and tame, permitting any one to hold and caress them, without ever attempting to bite; but do not evince the least attachment either to persons about them, or even to each other."[1]
Genus Petaurus. (Shaw.)
Besides the very obvious character which the Flying Phalangers possess in the lateral expansions of the skin, covered with hair; they are distinguished also by having the ears small and hairy, the fur very long and soft; and the tail long, free, and destitute of prehensile power. In the section to which the Squirrel Phalanger (Petaurus sciureus, Shaw) or Sugar Squirrel of the colonists, belongs, the teeth are thus arranged:—inc. 62; can. 1—10—0; false mol. 3—34—4; mol. 4—44—4;40; but in other species the number of false molars varies. All the species known appear to be confined to the Australian continent.
"During the day," observes Mr. Bennett of this pretty animal, "it generally remains quietly nestled in the hollows of trees, but becomes animated as night advances, and skims through the air, supported by its lateral expansions, half leaping, half flying, from branch to branch, feeding upon leaves and insects. This peculiar mode of locomotion
SQUIRREL PHALANGER.
can scarcely be considered as a true flight, inasmuch as the cutaneous folds which serve the purposes of wings seem rather destined for the mere support of the animal in its long and apparently desperate leaps, than for raising it in the air, and directing its course towards any given object. For this latter purpose they are indeed but little fitted by their structure, the want of proper muscles in a great measure incapacitating them from performing such offices as are dependent on volition. It may be doubted, however, whether these animals are entirely destitute of the power of exercising their will in their flight-like leaps. For the following anecdote bearing upon this subject we are indebted to our friend Mr. Broderip, who related it to us on unquestionable authority. On board a vessel sailing off the coast of New Holland, was a Squirrel Petaurus, which was permitted to roam about the ship. On one occasion it reached the mast-head, and, as the sailor who was despatched to bring it down approached, made a spring from aloft, to avoid him. At this moment the ship gave a heavy lurch, which, if the original direction of the little creature's course had been continued, must have plunged it into the sea. All who witnessed the scene were in pain for its safety: but it suddenly appeared to check itself, and so to modify its career that it alighted safely on the deck."
These beautiful little animals have been kept in captivity in this country. They are active and sportive by night, but rather shy and timid; during the day they remain rolled up in their nests of wool or other warm materials, in a state of slumber; but on the approach of dusk become animated, leaping from side to side of their cage with great agility. In their native countries they are said to associate in small flocks, concealing themselves by day in hollow trees. Their aërial evolutions, when the shades of evening have roused them from their inactivity are described as being peculiarly graceful, their limbs stretched out horizontally, and their long well-furred tails quivering behind like a streamer, as they launch themselves on their bold and seemingly perilous leaps.
This species, whose fur is exquisitely soft and full, is of a delicate grey colour, with a line down the back, and the borders of the lateral membranes, dark brown. It is a native of New South Wales, and is said to be abundant at the foot of the Blue Mountains. The skins are sent to this country as an article of commerce.
Genus Phascolarctos. (Desm.)
This genus, of which only a single species has been recognised, differs but slightly from Phalangista in its dentition and anatomy; but its superior size, its clumsy form and gait, its shaggy ears, and the absence of a tail, render it distinguishable at a glance from every other member of this Family. It is a robust animal, with thick limbs and powerful claws; the head is large and round, with a blunt muzzle; the ears are broad, and stand out from the sides of the head, in a singular manner; they are clothed with long, bushy fur. The feet have each five toes, armed with large, sharp, curved claws: the fore-feet have this peculiarity, that the innermost two toes are a pair by themselves, as it were two thumbs, being opposible to the other three.
The only known species is the Koala, or Native Bear of the colonists (Phascolarctos fuscus, Desm.), which is a little more than two feet in length, covered with a thick compact wool, of an ashy-grey colour, patched with white on the hinder parts. It is said to resemble a bear, in its gait upon the ground, and in its mode of climbing. The somewhat inconsistent habits of climbing trees and of burrowing in the earth at their feet, are attributed to it. In the winter it is said to form a nest in its underground retreat, retiring into it to pass away the cold season in sleep. If this is correct, it adds another particular to the analogies that exist be-
KOALA.
tween it and the bears. It is also said to pass along the branches of trees with great facility, in the manner of a Sloth, suspended by its sharp and powerful claws. Vegetable substances constitute its sole nutriment; a considerable portion of which is derived from the young leaves of the gum-trees (Eucalyptus). It makes use of its fore-paws to lay hold of the branches while it is feeding. In drinking it laps like a dog. Its voice is a soft barking sound. The female carries her young one, when able to leave the pouch, clinging to her back, for some time.
The Koala inhabits New South Wales, where, however, it appears to be somewhat uncommon. The first individuals that were known in the colonies were brought in by natives to Colonel Patterson, then lieutenant-governor of the colony, from the Hat-Hill district, to the southward of Port Jackson, in 1803. The native name, 'Koala,' is said to signify 'Biter.'[2]