In remarking on the acquisition, Sir James Hector stated that the real opossum was peculiar to the Continent of America, and was not known anywhere else. The proper name of the exhibits should be

“phalanger,” and “opossum-rugs” should be called “phalanger-rugs.” The phalanger was common all over Australia and Tasmania, and had been introduced and was becoming common in New Zealand. It was a most destructive animal to fruit-trees.

Mr. J. J. Walker, of H.M.S. “Ringarooma” mentioned that at Kawau, “Sir George Grey's island,” it was almost impossible to grow fruit owing to the number of phalangers.