THE OPOSSUM 



49 



It might seem at first sight, then, that in the kangaroo 

 we have a kind of creature allied to the hoofed beasts 

 long before known, and only so far modified as to be in 

 harmony with climatic needs. But the structure of 

 its hind foot is alone sufficient to dispel such a notion. 

 Each hind limb has, indeed (like that of an antelope or 



FIG. 12. 



THE KOALA. 



deer), but two large and conspicuous toes. But these 

 are of unequal size, and the inner one, which is much the 

 larger, bears a very long and strong claw. On the inner 

 side of this large toe is what at first sight appears to be a 

 very minute one, furnished with two claws side by side. 

 An examination of the bones of the foot, however, shows 



