674 ZOOLOGY. 



less, while the palate is armed with rows of strong, sharp 

 spines ; the tongue is long and slender, like that of the ant- 

 eater, while the body is armed with quills like those of a 

 porcupine ; the claws are very large and strong, adapted for 

 tearing open ant-hills. All the species are from one third 

 to one half of a metre (12-19 inches) in length. 



Fig. 496. Skeleton of the Kangaroo. From Brehm's Thierleben. 



Rub-class 2. Marsupialia. These are singular forms, rep- 

 resented by the opossum in this country, and the kangaroo, 

 with a number of other forms, in Australia. They differ 

 from all other mammals in having a pouch (marsupium) for 

 the reception of the young immediately upon birth, where 



