Rensselaer Union, Volume 7, Number 50, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 2 September 1875 — Strange Animal. [ARTICLE]

Strange Animal.

A Tasmanian devil has arrived at Washington, and was at last accounts vigorous and sprightly. It has taken up its headquarters at the Smithsonian Institute, and, strange as it may seem, is a most welcome guest of the venerable Prof. Henry. It is the first living specimen of its genus that has ever reached the shores of America, and it consequently excites the liveliest curiosity. The scientists have styled the tiling dasyurus ursinus, and classed it with the marsupials, a family distinguished for carrying their immature young m abdominal pouches. It is found only in Van Dieman's Land, or Tasmania, and, from its fierce disposition and destructive nature, has got the name of the devil in its native land. It is about the size of a badger, with a stout figure and a tail half the length of its body.” It wears a coat of coarse black hair, marked with white bands. It burrows in the ground, never climbing trees in the manner of opossum. It is nocturnal in habit, and preys upon animals as large as the sheep. Colonists have suffered so severely from its depredations in their folds and poultry-yards that they are to be excused for giving it ugly names. It is said to be a match for an ordinary dog in fighting powers, and its bite is very severe. One of its odd tricks is to sit bn its haunches and comb its head with its forepaws. Anything so human would hardly be expected in a vicious marsupial. -