348 FAMILY MACROPODUXE ; KANGAROOS. 



considerably beyond the jaw. Notwithstanding the insectivo- 

 rous form of the teeth, it appears from the accounts of the colo- 

 nists, that these animals feed in great part upon roots, and that 

 they are very destructive to the potato-crops, as also to the 

 corn when housed in granaries. It is probable that there may 

 be a difference in this respect among the several species, which 

 are numerous, one of them inhabiting New Guinea. 



312. The family MACROPODID.E (long-footed), or Kangaroo 

 tribe, receives its name from the enormous length of the foot, 

 which is the distinguishing characteristic of the posterior extre- 

 mity, in all the animals it includes. The anterior members are 

 small and comparatively feeble ; but the posterior, together 

 with the tail, attain a degree of development, to which we do 

 not see an approach in any other animal, except in the Jerboa 

 and some others of the Rodentia. In their ordinary position, 



these animals sit nearly 

 erect upon their haunches, 

 the head and shoulders being 

 elevated and slightly in- 

 clined forwards; and the 

 weight of the body is coun- 

 terpoised by that of the tail, 

 which is of enormous size, 

 and serves at the same time 

 to balance and support it. 



FIG. 172. KANGAROO. rp, f , 



Ihe form and arrangement 



of the teeth, and the conformation of the stomach, remind us of 

 the order Ruminantia ; to which this family, being exclusively 

 herbivorous in its diet, bears no inconsiderable analogy. The 

 canines are entirely wanting, and there are only two incisors in 

 the lower jaw, whilst there are six in the upper ; the molars 

 are five on each side, and have a roughened surface, which is 

 given by a vertical plate of enamel surrounding a centre of bone. 

 The stomach is very large, and is divided into distinct sacculi ; 

 and the Kangaroo appears occasionally (though not regularly) 

 to perform a true rumination, which it does in the erect atti- 

 tude. "When feeding, it assumes a crouching position, resting 



