﻿THE MUSK-KANGAROOS. 73 



THE MUSK-KANGAROOS. GENUS HYrSIPRYMNODON. 



Hypsiprymnodon, Ramsay, Proc. Linn. Soc, N. South Wales, 

 vol. i., p. 33 (1876). 



The third and last sub-family {HypsiprymnodontincE) of the 

 MacropodidcB is represented solely by the remarkable creature 

 known, from its strong scent, as the Musk-Kangaroo, which 

 forms a connecting link between the present and following 

 families. Indeed, it is somewhat difficult to decide to which 

 of the two the species ought to be assigned, although the 

 presence of a large pocket-like pit on the outer side of the 

 hinder part of the lower jaw seems to be indicative of closer 

 affinity with the Macropodidce than with the Phalangeridce. 



The following are the distinctive features by which the sub- 

 family differs from the two other equivalent groups : — 



Claws small, weak, and of nearly equal size ; first toe of hind 

 foot well-developed and opposable to the others ; tail naked 

 and scaly. Last premolar set obliquely to the line of the 

 molars. 



The undermentioned characters, on the other hand, may be 

 regarded rather as distinctive of the one genus Hypsipryin- 

 7wdon, 



Size very small; form Rat-like; nose entirely naked; ears 

 large, thin, and devoid of hair ; limbs of sub-equal length, and 

 adapted for walking ; first toe of hind foot long and clawless ; 

 fourth toe of same not disproportionately larger than the other ; 

 the fifth and united second and third being alike well de- 

 veloped ; tail cylindrical and tapering, haired only at the 

 root. 



I. MUSK-KANGAROO. HYPSIPRYMNODON MOSCHATUS. 



Hypsiprymnodon moschafus, Ramsay, Proc. Linn. Soc, N. South 

 Wales, vol. i., p. 34 (1876); Thomas, Cat. Marsup. Brit. 

 Mus., p. 123 (1888). 



