Page:The mammals of Australia Gould vol 1.djvu/203

 Gould.

Dusky Antechinus.

animal is altogether larger and more robust than the Antechinus ferruginifrons, has a broader or more dilated hind foot, a shorter muzzle, and a more uniform style of colouring, the general tone being a rusty brown, with a somewhat heightened or brighter rusty hue on the lower part at the back and rump; both the fore and hind feet moreover are of a light brown.

Like the A. ferruginifrons this species is a native of New South Wales. The specimens I possess of both species were in fact received at one time by way of Sydney, without, unfortunately, any particulars as to the locality in which they had been obtained. Such then is all the information I am able to give respecting these rare species, of each of which two specimens were transmitted to me. Australia appears to abound in these small insectivorous animals, as evidenced by the numerous species described and figured in the present work, and when the forests of that great country are more closely searched, many others will doubtless be discovered. In its general structure this species must be associated with the broad-footed section, of which A. flavipes may be considered a typical example.

Fur moderately soft; general colour of the upper surface fulvous brown, interspersed with numerous black hairs; under surface paler fulvous brown; feet pale brown.

Length, from the tip of the nose to the end of the tail, 9¼ inches; of the tail, 3⅝ from the nose to the ear, 1⅛; of the ear, ½ an inch; of the tarsi, ¾ of an inch.

The Plate represents two animals of the size of life.