VERTEBRATES : MAMMALS. 



and the thumb of the hind feet rudimentary or want- 

 ing. They vary in size from that of a mouse to that of 

 a wolf. 



PARAMELEID^E comprise burrowing marsupials. 

 PHALANGISTID^:, OR PHALANGER FAMILY. --This Fam- 

 ily comprises those which have the two toes next the 

 thumb united by a membrane as far as the last phalanx. 

 Such are the true Phalangers of the Moluccas, which 

 live upon trees, and, according to Cuvier, at the sight 

 of man, suspend themselves by the tail, and, if gazed at 

 steadily, at length fall to the ground ; and the Flying 

 Phalangers of Australia, which have the skin of the 

 flanks extended between the legs, which enables them 

 to suspend themselves in the air and make greater leaps. 

 The species of this family vary in size from that of a 

 mouse to that of a cat, or larger. 



MACROPODID^:, OR KANGAROO FAMILY. This Family 



comprises Mar- 

 supials which are 

 specially charac- 

 terized by the re- 

 markable devel- 

 opment of their 

 hinder parts. 

 The hind legs 

 and the tail are 

 long and power- 

 ful ; the fore legs 

 very short and 

 Kangaroa weak, and little 



used in progression, which is accomplished mainly by 

 leaping, for which their whole structure is most admira- 

 bly fitted. They sit mainly upright upon their haunches, 

 supported in part by the tail. They feed upon fruits and 

 plants, are perfectly harmless, and easily tamed. Forty 



Fig. 50. 



