412 ZOOLOGY. 



and Macrolis). About half of the species found in Van Diemen's Land 

 are pecuHar to it, the other half are found on the eastern part of the main 

 land. 



The species of Marsupialia of the continent of Australia, which are 

 very nearly allied and have very nearly similar habits, are not associated 

 together in the same limited district. 



Fossil remains of Marsupialia have been found chiefly in Australia and 

 South America; that is to say, in the same localities inhabited by these 

 animals in our days. Most of them are referable to the same genera. In 

 Europe a species of the genus Didelphis, and the new genus Pterodon, are 

 from the tertiary beds, and the extinct genera Amphilherium and Phasco- 

 lotherium, from the oolite of Stonesfield, the oldest representatives hitherto 

 known of the class of Mammalia. 



Group 1. Herhivora. 



Fam. 1. Macropodid^e. The true herbivorous group of Marsupialia is 

 characterized by six incisors in the upper jaw, and two in the lower; by 

 the absence of canines in most cases (there is sometimes a small one in the 

 upper jaw); by one premolar and four molars, making twenty-eight or thirty 

 teeth. The fore limbs are smaller than the hind, usually much inferior in 

 proportions ; the hands naked beneath, and having five well developed 

 fingers; each finger armed with a strong curved claw. The hind legs are 

 laroe and stronsj ; the foot long, and the toes four in number. The tail is 

 long, and usually very powerful. There are four mammae. The kangaroos 

 are vegetable feeding animals, browsing upon herbage like the ruminants. 

 Some ai-e of a great size, whilst others are as small as a hare. 



This family constitutes the main bulk of the marsupial population of 

 Australia, the only place where remains of extinct species of kangaroos 

 proper have been hitherto found. 



Kangaroos use their fore feet less for walking than for gathering theii 

 food, which they take sitting erect on the hind legs and tail, in the fashion 

 of the. hare and squirrel. They live in small troops, conducted by an old 

 individual, and pass from place to place in the forests and mountains to 

 procure food. If frightened or hunted, they jump and run with great 

 agility and swiftness, sometimes making leaps of from twenty to thirty feet, 

 over ravines, precipices, and bushes. In this their powerful tail is used as 

 well for preserving their equilibrium as for a means of propulsion. The 

 kangaroos defend themselves with courage and skill against their enemies. 

 Many species weigh two hundred pounds when full grown, whilst others 

 only reach a weight of fifty to sixty pounds. All afix>rd a wholesome and 

 agreeable food. There are species of all colors, grey, black, red, &c. The 

 female produces only one young, which is carried about in the pouch, and 

 is the object of constant care until fully grown. Kangaroos, when taken 

 younjr, are said to have been tamed to such a degree as to make no effort 

 at escape when allowed to run free. 

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