Waterhouse describes this Marsupial to be about the size of a Cat, but in shape it is somewhat between a Squirrel and a Marten. It has long and somewhat pointed ears; and the tail, clothed with bushy, harsh, black fur, except beneath, near the end, where it is naked, is about as long as the body. The limbs are rather short, the muzzle is moderately long and foxy-looking, and the whole body and head, except the naked muzzle, are covered with a grey and black fur. The moustaches are long, numerous, and black, and the feet are yellowish-white, and the naked soles are flesh-coloured, the nails being dusky. The pupil of the eye is round and intensely dark in colour. They sleep during the day, and become active during the evening, and on the alert for their food, which consists, in the Zoological Gardens, of bread and milk, fruit and vegetables. They hold up the solid food between the hands as a Squirrel holds a nut, and nibble very much in the same manner. Their native haunts are New South Wales, Western Australia, and North Australia. They inhabit the large trees, usually the Eucalypti, selecting such as have the heart of the branches or trunk decayed, and they take refuge there during the daylight. At night they leave their nests and climb the branches of the trees which yield them buds and fruit. They descend to the ground for food, and doubtless now and then eat snails and small birds. When climbing they use the tail to hold by, and carefully grasp every support with it before they let go with their feet or hands. A brown-black species, closely allied, lives in Van Diemen’s Land.[103] [Illustration: VULPINE PHALANGER.] THE DORMOUSE PHALANGER.[104]