156 THE KANGAROO 



very much resembles that of a rabbit ; but in size, this animal is 

 somewhat less than a rat. 



This singular quadruped is chiefly found in Barbary, Egypt, 

 and Palestine : there are also some species of it in Siberia, Tar- 

 tary, and some other parts of Asia. It makes its nest of the 

 finest herbage, rolls ilself up with its head between its thighs, 

 and during the winter remains in a torpid state without taking 

 any food. When pursued, it springs with such agility, that its 

 feet scarcely seem to touch the ground. It is easily tamed, ap- 

 pears fond of warmth, and, by wrapping itself up close with hay, 

 it seems to be sensible of the approach of cold weather. 



THE KANGAROO 



Is an animal unknown to the naturalists of former ages, and 

 for the knowledge of which we are indebted to the improvement 

 of navigation, and the discoveries of modern times. It is a na- 

 tive of Nejv-Holland, where it was first discovered by Sir Joseph 

 Banks. Its head, neck, and shoulders are small, the lower parts 

 of the body much thicker, especially towards the rump. Its ears 

 are large and erect, the end of the nose black, with whiskers on 

 both the upper and lower jaws. Its tail is long and taper, being 

 very thick near the rump, and narrowing to a point. But the 

 most remarkable singularity in this animal is the construction of 

 its legs, in which it resembles the jerboa. The fore-legs are ex- 

 tremely short, and only used for digging in the ground, or car- 

 rying its food to its mouth. It moves entirely on its hind-legs, 

 which aie nearly as long as its whole body. On these it springs 

 with such strength and rapidity, as to outstrip the fleetest grey- 

 hound, making successive bounds of ten or twelve feet. 



It leaps from rock to rock in an astonishing manner, and over 

 bushes seven or eight feet high, without apparent effort. 



The Kangaroo is generally of an ash colour : it feeds entirely 

 on vegetables, and its flesh is wholesome and palatable food. 

 There are two kinds, a larger and a smaller ; the largest that has 

 been shot weighed 140 pounds, and measured in length, from the 

 point of the nose to the rump, four feet, arid its tail two feet one 

 inch : the length of the fore-legs was one foot, and that of the 

 hind-legs two feet eight inches. The smaller kind seldom weighs 

 above 60 pounds. 



This animal is furnished with a pouch, in which its young are 

 fostered ; but its astonishing agility, under such seeming disad- 

 vantages, is the most striking circumstance by which it is distin- 

 guished, and which demonstrates that the Author of Nature can 

 communicate activity and vigour to any conformation of parts. 



