60 MACROPUS. 



21b. M. GIGANTEUS, var. MELANOPS, Gould (1842). 



Black-faced Kangaroo. 



Differs from the typical form only in the much smaller size, 

 lighter build, and darker color. A brown patch on the face con- 

 necting the two dark whisker-marks. Arms and legs not paler 

 than the body ; fingers and toes black. 



Dimensions. Head and body about forty inches ; tail about 

 thirty inches. 



Habitat. Eastern and South-eastern, perhaps extending its 

 range to Northern Australia. 



References. -Thomas, B.M. Catal. p. 20. 



Subclass III. EUTHERIA. 



The Eutherian Mammals are, as their name implies, by far 

 more specialized than either of the preceding Subclasses. The 

 name here adopted was bestowed upon them by Prof. Huxley in 

 exchange for the older terms MONODELPHIA (one wombedj and 

 PLACENTALIA, in order to keep the nomenclature of the three 

 Subclasses as uniform as possible, and in view of the fact that 

 equivalent names for the remaining Subclasses, namely, DIDELPHIA 

 (tivo u-ombedj for the Marsupials, and ORNITHODELPI, ; v (bird- 

 wombed) for the Monotremes were manifestly incorrect and 

 therefore misleading. They differ from other Mammals in that 

 the foetus is nourished for a considerable, but varying length of 

 time within the uterus of the mother, and when brought forth is 

 in such an advanced stage of growth as to be able of its own 

 volition to draw nourishment from the teat, without the inter- 

 vention of muscles specially adapted for forcing the milk into 

 its mouth, as in the Marsupials. 



In their mode of life the Eutherian Mammals show a great 

 divergence, much more so than the Metatherian Mammals do, 

 some, for instance, as the SIRENIA (Dugong, &c.), and especially 

 the CETACEA (Whales, Dolphins, &c.) being fitted for a purely 

 aquatic life; others like the PINNIPEDIA (Seals and Walruses) for 

 a mixed aquatic and terrestrial existence, the former predomin- 

 ating; others again like the CHIROPTERA (Bats, and Flying-foxes) 

 for an at-rial existence ; while the habits, food, &c of the purely 

 terrestrial forms are diverse in the extreme, and necessitate many 

 and startling changes in their form, structure, dentition, organs 

 of digestion <fcc. 



In order to meet these diverse conditions of existence it became 

 necessary to divide this large and complex Subclass into various 

 sections, technically known as " Orders," of which scientists now 

 recognise ten, as at the present time existent on our planet, these 

 being classified as follows: (i.) EDENTATA, the Sloths, Armadillos 



