NATURAL HISTORY OF THE KANGAROO. 



419 



Peramelidce a family made up of creatures none of which much ex- 

 ceed the hare in size, and which, instead of feeding on vegetable sub- 

 stances (as do the kangaroos), eat insects, for which food they' are 

 well adapted by the sharp points and ridges which may be seen on 

 their back teeth. 



Fig. 7. Losg-nosed Bandicoot {^Perameles). 



One member of this family, Chcero^nis (Fig. 8), is very exceptional in 

 the structure of its hind-feet, which out-kangaroo the kangaroo in the 



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^^wmmm^- 



Fig. S. Ch^ropus. 



minuteness of all the toes but the fourth, upon which alone the creature 

 walks, while its front-feet are each reduced to two functional digits. 



