A hand-book to the marsupialia and monotremata / by Richard Lydekker.

  • Lydekker, Richard, 1849-1915.
Date:
1896
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: A hand-book to the marsupialia and monotremata / by Richard Lydekker. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    below the surface. “Usually,” says the letter, “the salt-crust is not firm enough for bullock traffic, and I may safely say that thousands of bullocks have at different times been bogged in crossing or attempting to cross It would appear that an immense herd of these [Diprotodons] and other animals had got bogged, probably in seeking water in a dry season, just as cattle do now in the north by hundreds. There is every indication that all this region of South Central Australia was formerly occupied by fresh-water lakes. We have, for instance, remains of Alligators or Crocodiles from a district not far off, and other indications of fresh-water life. Of course we are on the look-out for 1'hylacoleo; but, so far, it does not appear to have been met with; but I am quite hopeful that if we can manage to prosecute the search,” such remains will ulti- mately be discovered. The difficulties of transport for such a great distance across an arid and inhospitable country are, of course, enormous, but when these are overcome, as we trust they will be, and some at least of the skeletons safely housed in the Museum at Adelaide, zoologists will look anxiously for their description, by which our knowledge of the bony structure of this strange monster will be rendered complete. Distribution.—Australia generally. In general structure the Diprotodontidce appear to connect the Phalangeridce with the undermentioned extinct family. FAMILY NOTOTHERIIDA2. GENUS NOTOTHERIUM. Nototherium, Owen, Cat. Fcss. Mamm. Aves. Mus. R. Coll. Surgeons, p. 314 (18 45)* I. NOTOTHERIUM MITCIIELLI. Nototherium mitchelli, Owen, loc. cit. ; Lydekker, Cat. Foss. Mamm. Brit. Mus., pt. v., p. 162 (1887).