KANGAROO. 87 



THE KANGAROO. 



This animal can scarcely be said to have a place in the 

 Linnaean arrangement. Some zoologists refer it to the 

 jerboa kind ; and others, among whom is Pennant, consider 

 it as a species of opossum : perhaps it ought to form a 

 distinct genus of itself. 



It was first discovered by our British colonists, on the 

 eastern territory of New Holland ; and is yet unknown in 

 any other part of the world. It has a small oblong head, 

 resembling that of a fawn, and tapering from the eyes to 

 the nose. The upper lip is divided ; the nostrils are large 

 and patulous ; the upper jaw is the longest, and both are 

 furnished with whiskers. The ears are erect, obscurely 

 ovated, and covered with short hairs. There are four 

 broad cutting-teeth in the upper jaw, two long lanceolated 

 teeth in the lower, and four grinders in each. The body 

 gradually increases in thickness to the rump, or near it : 

 the belly is convex and large ; the fore-legs are very 

 short, but the hinder almost the length of the whole body. 

 The fore-feet are furnished with five strong claws, the 

 hind with only three. The tail is very long and tapering ; 

 and possessed of such strength, that a stroke of it has 

 been known to break the leg of a dog. The hair is soft, 

 and of an ash-colour ; but somewhat brighter on the belly 

 than on the back. The length of this animal generally 

 exceeds three feet, and the tail measures about thirty 

 inches. 



The kangaroo, since the settlement at Botany-Bay (or 

 rather Sidney-Cove), is better known, and has been more 

 accurately described, than many foreign animals which have 

 for ages fallen under the notice of travellers and zoologists. 

 It lurks among the long grass that covers the almost 

 desolate country which it inhabits. It feeds entirely on 

 vegetables ; and walks wholly on its hind-legs, using its 

 fore-legs only for the purposes of digging, and of carrying 

 its food to its mouth. It is naturally very timid ; and 

 bounds away from intruders on its haunts, with an aston- 



