of a hand, as observable in many of the opossum genus.  The legs are much shorter in proportion than those of the common fox:  the ears about one inch and an half in length:  in the upper jaw are six cutting teeth, and four grinders, with two small canine teeth placed at an equal distance between them:  in the under jaw two long cutting teeth, not unlike those of a squirrel, and four grinders to answer those in the upper jaw, but no canine teeth.—­A representation of the mouth and teeth may be seen in one of the following plates.

Norfolk island flying squirrel.

Size of the American grey squirrel, and the general colour of the upper parts very nearly resembling that animal; the under parts white:  from the nose to the tail runs a streak of dusky black, and another springs on each side of the head behind the nostrils, passing over the eyes and finishing behind them:  ears not rising from the head:  on each side of the body is a broad flap or membrane, as in other flying squirrels, which is united to both the fore and hind legs, as usual in many of this division:  this membrane is black, fringed on the outer edge with white:  the tail for two-thirds of the length, is of an elegant ash colour, paler than the body, from thence to the end dusky black:  the toes on the fore legs are five in number; those of the hinder uncertain, as the legs behind were wanting:  length from head to rump nine inches; the tail is ten inches.

Birds.

Blue bellied parrot.  Order ii.  Pies.  Genus V. Species XIV.  Var.  B.

Blue bellied parrot.

Described thus by Mr. Latham.

“The length of this beautiful parrot is fifteen inches.  The bill is reddish:  orbits black:  head and throat dark blue, with a mixture of lighter blue feathers:  back part of the head green; towards the throat yellow green:  back and wings green:  prime quills dusky, barred with yellow:  breast red, mixed with yellow:  belly of a fine blue:  thighs green and yellow:  tail cuneiform; the two middle feathers green; the others the same, but bright yellow on the outer edges:  legs dusky.  Inhabits Botany Bay in New Holland.”  Latham’s Synopsis, vol. i. p. 213.

To this account little need be added, except that in our present specimens the parts there said to be blue are rather a bright lilac:  the bill is a deep orange; and there are red spots on the back between the wings, and a few near the vent feathers.

Tabuan parrot.  Order and Genus the same.  Species xvi.  A Variety.

The bird here represented has been seen by Mr. Latham, and was by him referred to this species; of which however it seems a very remarkable variety:  The prevalent colour of the head, neck and breast, being, instead of a deep crimson or purplish red, as in his description and plate, as well as in a fine specimen now in his own collection, a very bright scarlet:  the blue mark across the lower part of the neck appears the same; but the blue feathers in the wings are entirely wanting; and the bill is not black. (See Latham’s Synopsis, vol. i. p. 214.)