. The illustrated natural history [microform]. Mammals; Natural history; Mammifères; Sciences naturelles. 482 THE HANDED BANDICOOT. In its wild wtuti! it is noctuniiil in its liabits, livinj^ during,' the diiy in tiie dt!i)tlis of a capacious bui'row, wliicli it excavates in the earth to sucli a depth that even the persevering natives will seldom attempt to dig a W()nil)at out of its tuiniel. OwiuL,' to this habit of burrowing, it is very destructive if left in an uiipaved yard, for it si)oii excavates several subterraneous i)assages, and puts the stability of houses and walls into sad jeopard
. The illustrated natural history [microform]. Mammals; Natural history; Mammifères; Sciences naturelles. 482 THE HANDED BANDICOOT. In its wild wtuti! it is noctuniiil in its liabits, livinj^ during,' the diiy in tiie dt!i)tlis of a capacious bui'row, wliicli it excavates in the earth to sucli a depth that even the persevering natives will seldom attempt to dig a W()nil)at out of its tuiniel. OwiuL,' to this habit of burrowing, it is very destructive if left in an uiipaved yard, for it si)oii excavates several subterraneous i)assages, and puts the stability of houses and walls into sad jeopardy. The creature seems to be remarkably sensitive to cold, considering the severe weatlipi: which often reigns in its native country. It is fond of hnv, which it chops into short pieces with its knife-edged teeth. The natives say that if a Wombat is making a Journey, ami happ(!ns to cmiie across a river, it is not in the least , but walks delil)tiratoly into the river, across the bed of the stream, and, emerging on tla^ opposite bank, continues its course as calmly as if no impediment had been placed in its way. The teeth of the Wombat present a curious resemlilance to those of the rodent animals, and are endowed with the same powers of reproduction as those of the beaver and otlicr animals of the same order. The feet of the Wombat are broad, and the Ibre-feet aiv provided with very strong claws, tliat arc; formed for digging in the earth. There aie live toes to each toot, but the thumb of the hinder feet is extremely small, and devoid of a claw. This animal is remarkable for possessing fifteen i)airs of ribs—in one case sixteen ])airs of ribs were found—cmly six pairs of which reach the breast-bone. TIemains of a fossil species of ^yombat have been discovered in New Holland, together with the relics oi' an allied and gigantic species, which, when living, must nearly have equalled the hippopotamus in cUmensions. \ mi. Jmi-— - ... '.^^itn— *i^^.^: fei>i!X.
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, booksubjectmammals, booksubjectnaturalhistory
