NATURAL HISTORY OF THE KANGAROO. 413 



young kangaroo itself, but by the injecting action of its mother, it is 

 evident that, did such a state of things obtain in it as has been just 

 described, the result would be sjDeedily fatal. Did no special provi- 

 sion exist, the young one must infallibly be choked by the intrusion 

 of milk into the windpipe. But there is a special provision for the 

 young kangaroo; tlie upper jDart of the windpipe (or larynx), instead 

 of lying as in us, and as in most beasts, Avidely separated from the 

 hinder 0})ening of the nostrils, is much raised (Fig. 3, a). It is in fact 

 so elongated in the young kangaroo that it rises right \x]) into the 

 hinder end of the nasal passage, which embraces it. lu this way 

 there is free entrance for air from the nostrils into the windpipe by a 



Fig. 3. 1. Dissected Head of Young KL4NGAR00. , Elongated Larjns ; h, Cavity of Mouth. 



2. Nipple of Mother. 



passage shut off from the cavity of the mouth. All the time the milk 

 can freely pass to the back of the mouth and gullet along each side 

 of this elongated larynx, and thus breathing and milk-injection can 

 go on simultaneously, without risk or inconvenience. 



The kangaroo browses on the herbage and bushes of more or less 

 open country, and, when feeding, commonly applies its front-limbs to 

 the ground. It readily, however, raises itself on its hind-limbs and 

 strong tail (as on a tripod) when any sound, sight, or smell, alarms its 

 natural timidity (Fig. 1). 



Mr. Gould tells us that the natives (where it is found) sometimes 

 hunt these animals by forming a great circle around them, gradually 

 converging upon them, and so frightening them by yells that they 

 become an easy prey to their clubs. 



As to its civilized hunters, the same author tells us that kangaroos 

 are hunted by dogs which run entirely by sight, and partake of the 

 nature of the greyhound and deerhound, and, from their great strength 

 and fleetness, are so well adapted for the duties to which they are 

 trained, that the escape of the kangaroo, when it occurs, is owing to 

 peculiar and favorable circumstances ; as, for example, the oppressive 

 heat of the day, or the nature of the ground ; the former incapacitat- 

 ing the dogs for a severe chase, and the hard ridges, which the kan- 

 garoo invariably endeavors to gain, giving him great advantage over 

 his pursuers. On such ground the females in particular will frequently 

 outstrip the fleetest greyhound ; while, on the contrary, heavy old 



