ANTECHINUS MINUTISSIMUS

Minute Antechinus.

» Gould.

Antechinus minutissimus, Gould in Proc. of Zool. Soc., 1852.

Tuts is by far the least of the Marsupials that have as yet been discovered in Australia. The accompanying

| atural size. The little
Antechin of Australia constitute two very distinct Sroups or subsections; the form of one of which Is

figures which were taken from fully adult specimens represent the animal of the n
characterized by a more elegant and lengthened contour, a sharper and more attenuated muzzle, larger ears
and longer, more slender and mouse-like formed tarsi, such as is seen in Antechinus albipes, A. flee
and A. murinus ; and the other by a shorter and bluffer head, smaller rounded ears, and extremely short
and broad tarsi, as is perceptible in 4. flavipes, A. maculatus, and the present species, 4. minutissmus. Tam
quite sure that this difference in structure is accompanied by an equally marked difference in the habits
and actions of the animals constituting these two groups: I had many opportunities of observing the 4.
flavipes in a state of nature, and noticed that it exhibited some very curious actions while traversing the
large boles and limbs of the trees, both those that were prostrate as well as those still erect: its mode of
progression was more like that of the squirrel than of any other animal with which I can compare it; as it
traversed the limbs in every direction by leaps, with widely spread legs, sometimes sideways, at others with
the head downwards ; indeed in any position in which it wished to move.

The native habitat of the 4. minutissimus is the districts on the eastern coast of Australia, in the neigh-
bourhood of Moreton Bay. I have specimens collected by Mr. Strange labelled with the native name of
Pimburam.

Fur short and closely applied to the skin; the whole of the upper surface, including the tail, greyish
brown, the latter being paler beneath ; chin and throat pale buff; feet buffy brown; under surface of the
body and legs greyish buff gradually blending with the brown of the upper surface, but the buffy tint predo-

minating on the centre of the abdomen and vent.

inches.
Length from the nose to the root of the tail ire ee 4
oftail . . 0 8
s », arm and hand 8:
tarsi and toes eee <5
» >, face from the tip of the nose to the base of the ear . . 3%

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The figures are of the natural size.

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