320 



Order MARSUPIALIA. 



m_ji. T 



Tribe POEPHAGA. 



Genus Macropus. 



1724. The skeleton of a male of the Great Kangaroo (Macropus major). 



The length from the end of the premaxillaries to the end of the tail, following the curves 

 of the spine, is 6 feet 2 inches : the length of the thorax is 13 inches. The length of the 

 anterior extremity, from the head of the humerus, is 1 8 \ inches : the length of the posterior 

 extremity, from the head of the femur, is 37 inches. The inner condyle of the humerus is 

 perforated. The scaphoid and lunar bones are confluent in the wrist. The innermost toe of 

 the hind-foot, or hallux, is absent in this genus ;. the second and third toes are extremely 

 slender, inclosed as far as the ungual phalanx in a common fold of integument, and reduced 

 to the function of cleansing the fur. The offices of support and progression are performed 

 by the two outer toes, and principally by the fourth, which is enormously developed : these 

 toes are supported, as usual, by the os cuboides, which is correspondingly large, whilst the 

 naviculare and the cuneiform bones are proportionally reduced in size. The marsupial bones 

 are comparatively small. The transverse process of the last cervical vertebra, the true and 

 complex nature of which is demonstrated in the skeletons of the Monotremes, is pierced, like 

 the rest, by the vertebral artery. 13 vertebrae are dorsal, 6 are lumbar, 2 are sacral, and 

 22 are caudal, the first fourteen of which have haemapophyses. 



The teeth in place are, t ^, p j^y, m jj^| ; the kst molar is still undeveloped in both jaws. 



Prepared from a specimen presented by Ronald Gunn, Esq., 



of Launceston, Tasmania. 



1725. The skeleton of a female Kangaroo (Macropus major). 



The transverse processes of the seventh cervical vertebra are perforated: 13 vertebrae are 

 dorsal, 6 are lumbar, 2 are sacral, and 20 are caudal : of these last, the third to the eighth 

 inclusive bear hsemapophyses, but some of those elements have been lost from the succeeding 

 vertebrae. The marsupial bones are proportionally longer in this than in the male skeleton : 

 the patellae are unossified in both, and the fibula is immoveably united to the lower half of 

 the tibia. 



The dentition is at the same stage as in the preceding male skeleton, but the last molars 

 are a little further advanced. 



Mus. Brookes. 



1726. The vertically bisected cranium of a Kangaroo (Macropus major). 



The four grinders in each moiety consist of the second deciduous molar and the three 



