136 MACROPID^. 



One of these animals has been seen to chase a partridge across a 

 road, following her through the hedge with perfect precision ; and an- 

 other was observed to discover the presence of mankind by means of 

 its powers of scent, as it was in a position from whence it could not see 

 its fancied enemies. The Hedgehog had already passed the observers, 

 who remained perfectly quiet in order to watch its proceedings, but af- 

 ter it had run for a few^ paces, it suddenly stopped, seemed suspicious 

 of some danger, stretched its nose in the air, and stood on its guard. 

 In a few moments it seemed to have set itself at ease, and resumed its 

 course. The spectators then slightly shifted their position, so as to 

 bring the animal again within the range of their "wind," when the 

 creature repeated the same process, and did not appear entirely at its 

 ease for some little time. 



MAGROPID^. 



The extraordinary animals which are grouped together under the 

 title of Macropidse are, with the exception of the well-known Opossum 

 of Virginia, inhabitants of Australasia and the islands of the Indian 

 Archipelago. 



The peculiarity which gives the greatest interest to this group of an- 

 imals is that wonderful modification of the nutrient organs which has 

 gained for them the title of Maesupialia, or pouched animals — a name 

 which is derived from the Latin word marsupiiim, which signifies " a 

 purse" or "pouch." This singular structure is found only in the fe- 

 male Marsupials, and in them is variously developed according to 

 the character of the animal and the mode of life for which it is in- 

 tended. 



The low^er part of the abdomen is furnished with a tolerably large 

 pouch, in the interior of which the mammae, or teats, are placed. 

 When the young, even of so large an animal as the kangaroo, make 

 their appearance in the world, they are exceedingly minute — the young 

 kangaroo being only an inch in length — and entirely unable to endure 

 the rough treatment which they would meet with were they to be nur- 

 tured according to the manner in which the young of all other animals 

 are nourished. Accordingly, as soon as they are born they are trans- 

 ferred by the mother into the pouch, when they instinctively attach 

 themselves to the teats, and there hang until they have attained con- 

 siderable dimensions. By degrees, as they grow older and stronger, 

 they loosen their hold, and put their little heads out of the living 

 cradle, in order to survey the world at leisure. In a few weeks more 

 they gain sufficient strength to leave the pouch entirely, and to frisk 

 about under the guardianship of their mother, who, however, is always 

 ready to receive them again into their cradle if there is any rumor of 



