222 MAMMALIA— WOMBACH. 



death If there is a river or pond near, the kanguroos are sure to retreat 

 thither when hard pressed, and in this way readily baffle the natives' dogs, 

 by shoving under water and drowning such as may venture in beside them. 

 From the great length of their hind legs and tail, they are enabled to stand 

 on the firm bottom, while the dogs are obliged to swim ; and in this way a 

 fight between a large kanguroo and a pack of dogs affords a most amusing 

 spectacle. The kanguroo stands gravely upright, with his fore paws spread 

 out before him, wheeling round and round to ward oft" his assailants ; and 

 whenever one arrives within his reach, he pounces his paws upon him, and 

 sousing him suddenly under, holds him fast in this position, gazing all the 

 while around with the most solemn, simpleton sort of aspect, heedless of 

 the kicking and sprawling of his victim, whom he quickly puts an end to, if 

 some courageous colleague does not in good time advance to its aid, and 

 force the kanguroo to let his half drowned antagonist bob above water 

 again ; the dog paddles forthwith towards shore, shaking his ears and 

 looking most piteously, with no inclination to venture in a second time, 

 notwithstanding all the halloos and cheerings with which you urge him." 



The kanguroo may be domesticated. " One of the largest tame kangu- 

 roos I have seen in this country," says Mr Cunningham, " is domesticated, 

 and a mischievous wag he is, creeping and snuffing cautiously towards a 

 stranger, with such an innocently expressive countenance, that roguery 

 could never be surmised to exist under it ; when, having obtained, as he 

 thinks, a sufficient introduction, he claps his fore paws on your shoulders, as 

 if to caress you, and, raising himself suddenly upon his tail, administers 

 such a well put push with his hind legs, that it is two to one but he drives 

 you heels over head ! This is all done in what he considers facetious play, 

 with a view of giving you a hint to examine your pockets, and see what bon 

 bons you have got for him, as he munches cakes and comfits with epicurean 

 gout ; and if the door is a-jar, he will gravely take his station behind your 

 chair at meal time, like a lackey, giving you an admonitory kick every now 

 and then, if you fail to help him as well as yourself." 



THE WOMBACH.' 



This animal is a native of New South Wales, and was discovered in tue 

 year 1798. It is about the size of a badger, a species of which it Avas sup- 

 posed to be, from its dexterity in burrowing in the earth by means of its 

 fore paws ; but, in its general motions, it appeared to have much of the 

 habits and manners of a bear. It has a large head, a broad forehead, a 



1 Phascolomys wombat. This animal is the only one of the genus. It has two upper 

 and two lower incisors ; no canines ; ten upper and ten lower molars. Incisors strong 

 and thick; molars with oval crown divided py a furrow; body thick; head large, flat; 

 ears short; eyes much separated ; feet with five toes, the anterior armed with crooked 

 and robust nails for digging; thumb of hind feet very small, nailless ; tail scarcely appa- 

 rent; an abdominal pouch in the female. 



