[Illustration: FIG. 3.--The Tasmanian Wolf, or Thylacine (_Thylacinus cynocephalus_).]
The next genus is represented solely by the Tasmanian devil, _Sarcophilus_ (or _Diabolus_) _ursinus_, a medium-sized animal with a dental formula similar to that of the dasyures, but with teeth (fig. 2) approximating to those of the thylacine, though markedly different in details. The first hind toe is absent.
In the "native cats," or dasyures, constituting the genus _Dasyurus_, the dental formula is i. 4/3, c. 1/1, p. 3/3, m. 3/3: total 42. The upper incisors are nearly equal and vertical, with the first slightly longer, narrower, and separated from the rest. Lower incisors sloping forward and upward. Canines large and sharply pointed. First two premolars with compressed and sharp-pointed crowns, and slightly developed anterior and posterior accessory basal cusps. Molars with numerous sharp-pointed cusps. In the upper jaw the first two with crowns having a triangular free surface; the last small, simple, narrow and placed transversely. In the lower jaw the molars more compressed, with longer cusps; the last not notably smaller than the others. Ears of moderate size, prominent and obtusely pointed. First hind toe rudimentary, clawless or absent; its metatarsal bone always present. Tail generally long and well clothed with hair. Vertebrae: C. 7, D. 13, L. 6, S. 2, Ca. 18-20 (see DASYURE).
The genus _Phascologale_ comprises a number of small marsupials, none exceeding a rat in size, differing from the dasyures in possessing an additional premolar--the dentition being i. 4/3, c. 1/1, p. 4/4, m. 3/3: total 46--and in having the teeth generally developed upon an insectivorous rather than a carnivorous pattern, the upper middle incisors being larger and inclined forward, the canines relatively smaller, and the molars with broad crowns, armed with prickly tubercles. The muzzle is pointed. Ears moderately rounded, and nearly naked. Fore feet with five sub-equal toes, with compressed, slightly curved pointed claws. Hind feet with the four outer toes sub-equal, with claws similar to those in the fore feet; the first toe almost always distinct and partially opposable, though small and nailless, sometimes absent.