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HYPSIPRYMNUS GILBERTI Gould

Gilbert?s Rat-Kangaroo.

Hypsiprymnus Gilberti, Gould in Proc. of Zool. Soc. art i —Ib. Mor i

List. of Mamm. in Coll. Brit. Mus., p- ee a ee ee :
——— micropus, Waterh. in Jard. Nat. Lib., Marsupialia, p. 180.
= (Potorotis) Gilbertii, Waterh. Nat. Hist. of Mamm.,
Ngil-gyte, Aborigines of King George’s Sound.

= (Creny,

0 apea a2 OR

In its outward gubeumance ae little animal closely resembles the Hypsiprymnus murinus, but on a comparison
of the skulls of the two species a marked difference is observable, that of the present having the nasal bone
more produced or swollen out at the sides; the tarsi and tail also are shorter, and the general colour is of
a deeper hue in Gilbert’s than in the Hyp. murinus. These Hypsiprymni are evidently analogues of each
other, the former being found only on the western coast, while the other is confined to the ener portions
of Australia.

The animal here represented was procured at King George’s Sound, where it is called Noil-gyte by the
Aborigines. In dedicating it to the late Mr. Gilbert, who proceeded with me to Australia to assist in the
objects of my expedition, I embraced with pleasure the opportunity afforded me of expressing my sense of
the great zeal and assiduity he displayed in the objects of his mission; and as science is indebted to him
for the knowledge of this and several other interesting discoveries, I trust that, however objectionable it
may be to name species after individuals, in this instance it will not be deemed inappropriate.

The above remarks were published in the first Part of my “ Monograph of the Macropodide or Family of
Kangaroos,” soon after which Mr. Gilbert made a second journey to the interior of Western Australia, and
while there, transmitted to me the following additional information respecting this species :—

“ This little animal may be said to be the constant companion of Halnaturus brachyurus, as they are always
found together amidst the dense thickets and rank vegetation bordering swamps and running streams. The

natives capture it by breaking down a long, narrow passage in the thicket, in which a number of them
remain stationed, while others, particularly old men and women, walk through the thicket, and by beating

drive the affrighted animals before them into the cleared space,

the bushes and making a yelling noise, oy ee
in this way a tribe of natives will often hall

where they are immediately speared by those on the watch: 1 ae
an immense number of both species in a few hours. I have not heard of the Hypsiprymnus Gilberti beg
orge’s Sound.” .

; and black, produced by the base of the hairs
art of the back washed with reddish

found in any other part of the colony than King Ge

General colour of all the upper surface mingled grey, brown
ntre and lower p
nds into the general colour on the forehead ; all the
ry thinly clothed

being grey, the middle portion brown and black; ce
brown ; a blackish line commences at the nose and ble ae ee

: : a CGS ackis rown; tal ack
under surface greyish white; hands greyish brown ; feet blackish brown; té ack,
with short hairs.

The figures are of the natural size.

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