MARSUPIALIA. 303 



The female generative organs frequently present racemose ovaries ; 

 the two oviducts are prolonged into two completely separate uteri, 

 which are followed by the peculiarly formed and likewise double 

 vagina (fig. 684a) ; the two vaginae are united at the point where 

 they receive the openings of the uteri into a common portion, which 

 gives off a long caecal diverticulum, usually divided by a septum. 

 From this part arise the two vaginal canals, which curve round and 

 open into the urogenital canal. Since the external opening of the 

 latter coincides more or less closely with the anus (the two openings 

 are surrounded by a common sphincter), the Marsupials may be 

 said to have a kind of cloaca. The penis ends as a rule with a bifid 

 glans (fig. 6846), corresponding to the double vagina of the female. 



Most Marsupials live in Australia, many also in islands of the 

 Pacific Ocean and the Moluccas; Didelphya in South America. In 

 Europe they are wholly absent at the present time, though they 

 were distributed there in the tertiary period. 



Tribe 1. Glirina (Rodent-like Marsupials). Unwieldy, heavy 

 animals of the size of a Badger, with close soft fur, with Rodent 

 dentition, short limbs, and rudimentary tail. The rudimentary 

 inner toe of the hind foot alone is without the curved claw. 



Farn. Phaseolomyidae. Dentition i. - c.-p.m. - m. -. Phascolomys Wombat 

 Per. Les. (fossor), Van Diemen's Land and New South Wales. 



Tribe 2. Macropoda (Jumping Marsupials). With small head 

 and neck, weak, small, five-toed front legs, and hind part of the 

 body unusually developed. The very long hind legs serve for 

 jumping, and are aided by the long tail, the root of which is 

 thickened. The powerful hind feet end with four toes with hoof- 

 like claws; the two internal toes are united, and the median one 

 is very long and powerful. The dentition recalls that of the Horse, 

 though the number of incisors in the lower jaw (2) is smaller. The 

 stomach is colon-like in shape, the caecum is long. They feed on 

 grass and plants. 



Fam. Halmaturidae (Kangaroos). Dental formula i. 3 c. -ffi.p. m. l m. 4 



Macropus giganteus Shaw. Great Kangaroo, Hypsiprymnus rufescens Gould, 

 Kangaroo Eat. 



Tribe 3. Scandentia (Carpophaga). Climbing Marsupials. The 

 second and third toes of the hind foot are fused, but the inner toe is 

 without nail and opposable. The long tail is prehensile in accord- 



