They are taken by the natives in hundreds, who avail themselves of a fall of rain to rove through the sandy ridges to hunt these little animals and the talpero, Perameles, as long as there shall be surface water.  We had five of these little animals in a box, that thrived beautifully on oats, and I should have succeeded in getting them to Adelaide if it had not been for the carelessness of one of the men in fastening a tarpauline down over them one dreadful day, by which means they were smothered.

6.  Mus conditor, Gould.—­The Building Rat.

Inhabits the brushes in the Darling, in which it builds a nest of small sticks, varying in length from eight inches to three, and in thickness, from that of a quill to that of the thumb.  The fabric is so firm and compact as almost to defy destruction except by fire.  The animals live in communities, and have passages leading into apartments in the centre of the mound or pyramid, which might consist of three or four wheelbarrows full of the sticks, are about four feet in diameter, and three feet high.  The animal itself is like an ordinary rat, only that it has longer ears and its hind feet are disproportioned to the fore feet.  It was not found beyond latitude 30 degrees.  See page 120, Vol.  I.

7.  ACROBATES PYGMAEA.—­Flying Opossum Mouse.

This beautiful and delicate little animal was killed in a Box tree, whence it came out of a hole, and ran with several others along a branch, retreating again with great swiftness.  It was so small that if the moon had not been very bright it could not have been seen.  It is somewhat less than a mouse in size and has a tail like an emu’s feather, its skin being of a dark brown.

8.  Lagorchestes FASCIATUS (L.  ALBIPILIS, Gould?).—­Fasciated Kangaroo.

One only of this animal was seen on the plains of the interior.  It is peculiar in its habits, in that it lies in open ground and springs from its form like a hare, running with extreme velocity, and doubling short round upon its pursuers to avoid them.  The Lagorchestes is very common on the plains to the north of Gawler Town, but is so swift as generally to elude the dogs.  It is marsupial, and about the size of a rabbit, but is greatly disproportioned, as all the Kangaroo tribe are, as regards the hind and fore quarters.  In colour this animal is a silvery grey, crossed with dark coloured bars on the back.

9.  PHALANGISTA VULPINA.—­The Opossum.

Like the preceding, only one of these animals was seen or shot during the Expedition; it was in one of the gum-trees, taking its silent and lonely ramble amongst its branches, when the quick eye of Tampawang, my native boy, saw him.  It does not appear generally to inhabit the N.W. interior.  The present was a very large specimen, with a beautifully soft skin, and as it was the only one noticed during a residence of nearly six months at the same place, it was in all probability a stray animal.