The height of this species, standing erect, is rather less than two feet:  the length two feet and a half.  The head is formed much like that of a fox, the ears short and erect, with whiskers from one to two inches in length on the muzzle.  The general colour of the upper parts is pale brown, growing lighter towards the belly:  the hind part of the fore legs, and the fore part of the hinder ones white, as are the feet of both:  the tail is of a moderate length, somewhat bushy, but in a less degree than that of the fox:  the teeth are much the same as is usual in the genus, as may be seen in the top of the plate where the animal is represented.

This species inhabits New South Wales.  The specimen from which the annexed plate was taken, (a female) is now alive in the possession of the Marchioness of Salisbury, at Hatfield-House, and was sent over as a present to Mr. Nepean, from Governor Phillip.  It has much of the manners of the dog, but is of a very savage nature, and not likely to change in this particular.  It laps like other dogs, but neither barks nor growls if vexed and teized; instead of which, it erects the hairs of the whole body like bristles, and seems furious:  it is very eager after its prey, and is fond of rabbits or chickens, raw, but will not touch dressed meat.  From its fierceness and agility it has greatly the advantage of other animals much superior in size; for a very fine French fox-dog being put to it, in a moment it seized him by the loins, and would have soon put an end to his existence, had not help been at hand.  With the utmost ease it is able to leap over the back of an ass, and was very near worrying one to death, having fastened on it, so that the creature was not able to disengage himself without assistance; it has been also known to run down both deer and sheep.

A second of these is in the possession of Mr. Lascelles, of which we have received much the same account in respect to its ferocity; whence it is scarcely to be expected that this elegant animal will ever become familiar.

Genus XV.  Mustela.—­Lin.  Syst.  Nat.

Genus XXIII.  Weesel.—­Penn.  Hist.  Quad.

Spotted Martin.

The species is about the size of a large polecat, and measures from the tip of the nose to the setting on of the tail eighteen inches; the tail itself being nearly the same length.  The visage is pointed in shape, and the whole make of the animal does not ill resemble that of the Fossane.  The general colour of the fur is black, marked all over with irregular blotches of white, the tail not excepted, which has an elegant appearance, and tapers gradually to a point.

The situation of the teeth and jaws is much the same as in the rest of the genus, as may be seen in the upper part of the plate.

Inhabits the neighbourhood of Port Jackson.

Genus XVII.  Didelphis.—­Lin.  Syst.  Nat.

Genus XXII.  Opossum.—­Penn.  Hist. 2uad.