﻿KANGAROOS. 1 3 



The fore limbs, which are ahvays provided with five toes, 

 are generally much smaller than the hinder ones ; the latter 

 having usually only four toes^ of which the one corresponding 

 with the fourth in the human foot is much larger than either 

 of the other three, and forms the sole axis of support. Of the 

 remaining toes, the two innermost, or those representing the 

 second and third human toes, are very short and small, and 

 enclosed in a common skin ; this type of foot being accordingly 

 termed syndactylous. The outermost, or fifth toe, is equally 

 small and unimportant, being even still shorter than the second 

 and third. In consequence of this great development and 

 peculiar structure of the hind foot, the more typical members 

 of the Family progress on the ground by a series of enormous 

 leaps ; the body being also supported by the long, heavy, and 

 cylindrical tail, of which, among the smaller forms, the tip may 

 be prehensile. There are, however, certain aberrant members 

 of the Family which are arboreal in their habits, although all 

 agree in subsisting exclusively on grass or leaves. In order to 

 aid in the digestion of such substances, the stomach is com- 

 plicated by sacculations. The female js furnished with a large 

 pouch for the reception of her young, with its aperture directed 

 forwards. 



The Kangaroos, which are spread over both xlustralia and 

 New Guinea, include the largest of the hving Diprotodonts, 

 and indeed of all the Marsupials. While the majority of the 

 species inhabit open grassy plains, others frequent scrub-jungle 

 and rocks, while, as already said, a few species — and more 

 especially in New Guinea — are dwellers in trees. Then, again, 

 whereas most of the larger species are met with in large droves, 

 termed by the colonists " mobs," the smaller kinds usually 

 associate in small parties or pairs. 



The existing members of the Family are arranged in twelve 

 generic groups, which are brigaded under three distinct Sub- 



