84 



Quadrupeds. 



for a part of the tree, or for a fruit of uncommon size 

 suspended from its branches." At the approach of even- 

 ing, however, a very different scene presents itself. One 

 by one these supposed fruits are seen to quit their hold 

 upon the branches, and sail away to the plantations 

 of various kinds, to which they do incalculable mischief 

 by devouring every fruit that comes in their way. 



IV. The Marsupialia, or Pouch-bearing Animals. 



THE KANGAROO. (Macropus giganteus.) 



THIS remarkable animal was first discovered by the cele- 

 brated Captain Cook, in New /lolland ; and as it was 

 the only quadruped discovered on the island by the first 

 settlers, they attempted to hunt it with greyhounds. 

 The astonishing leaps it took, however, quite puzzled the 

 colonists, who found it extremely difficult to catch. At 

 first it was supposed that there was only one kind of 

 Kangaroo, but now many species have been discovered, 

 some of them not larger than a rat, and others as big as 

 a calf. Kangaroos live in herds ; one, older and larger 

 than the rest, appearing to act as a kind of king. The 

 ears of the Kangaroo are large; and in almost constant 

 motion it has a hare-lip, and a very small head. The 



