20 INTRODUCTION. 



of Swan llivcT is one of the oldest known ; the L. Leichardti 

 tlie hitcst yet discovered. 



The Bettongicciy with their singular prehensile tails, also enjoy 

 a wide range, the various species composing the genus being 

 found in Tasmania, New South Wales, Southern and Western 

 Australia, but, so far as we yet know, not in the north. For a 

 more detailed account of the localities favoured with the presence 

 of these animals, and the manner in which their prehensile tails 

 are employed in carrying the grass for their nest, I must refer 

 to the history of the respective species, and particularly to the 

 plate of Bettongia cuniculus. 



The Hypsiprymni are the least and, perhaps, the most aber- 

 rant group of this extensive family. They inhabit the southern 

 and most humid parts of the country, and are to be found 

 everywhere, from Tasmania to the 15th degree of latitude on 

 the continent in one direction, and from the scrubs of Swan 

 niver and King George's Sound to the dense brushes of 

 I\Ioreton Bay in the other ; like most other Kangaroos, they arc 

 nocturnal in their habits, grub the ground for roots, and live 

 somewhat after the manner of the Pcrainelides, with which, how- 

 ever, they have no relationship. 



To render my history of this group of animals the more 

 complete, I have included in the work the three species inhabit- 

 ing New Guinea : two of these belong to the genus Dcndrulayus, 

 and, as their name implies, dwell among tlie branches of trees, 

 and rarely resort to tlie ground : the third forms the genus 

 Dorcopsis, of which a single species only is known; it has 

 doubtless some peculiar habits, but these must be left for a 

 future historian to describe; at present they are unknown. 



The great family of the Kangaroos, of winch what I have 

 here written must only be regarded as a slight sketch, is well 

 worthy the study of every mammalogist. It forms by far the 

 most conspicuous feature in the history of Australian quadru- 

 peds ; and, numerous as are the species now known, I doubt not 

 that others will yet be discovered when the north and north- 



