Page:Mammals of Australia (Gould), introduction.djvu/26

 permit, an enumeration of Australian mammals, the extent of their range, &c. In doing this, I shall commence with the Monotrematous section of the Marsupiata, which includes the Ornithorhynchus and two species of Echidna; I shall then proceed to the genera Myrmecobius, Tarsipes, Chæropus, Peragalea, Perameles, Phascolarctos, Phalangista, Cuscus, Petaurista, Belideus, Phascogale, Sarcophilus, Dasyurus, Thylacinus, and Phascolomys; and these will be followed by the great family of Kangaroos, with remarks upon their structural differences and the especial object for which these appear to have been designed; next we shall come to the feebly represented Placentals, the Seals, and Rodents; and, lastly, to the species of Pteropus and other Bats.

I have considered that, in a large illustrated work like the 'Mammals of Australia,' it would be out of place to enter into the anatomy of the objects I have represented. I have therefore omitted all details of this kind; neither have I included therein a repetition of the generic characters and Latin descriptions which have appeared in general works on Mammalogy, where they may be easily referred to. Those who wish to enter more fully into the generic characters of the Australian mammals will find all the information they can wish for in Mr. Waterhouse's valuable work, entitled 'A Natural History of the Mammalia,' a publication of such great promise and merit, that it becomes a matter of surprise and regret to all interested in this branch of science that the publisher decided upon not continuing it to its completion.

It will be observed that I have entirely omitted the Whales, Porpesses, and Dugong, my reason for so doing being that I had not sufficient opportunities for studying those animals in a state of nature, and have not therefore attempted that which I did not understand, and consequently could not have accomplished in a satisfactory manner. With regard to the Dugong, I must not omit thanking my relative, Charles Coxen, Esq., of Queensland, for his attention in sending me a skin and