THE KA.NGUROO. 413 



lower, pointing forward, and four grinding teeth 

 in each jaw, remote from the others. The belly 

 is convex and great. The fore-legs are very short, 

 scarcely reaching to the nose, and useless for 

 walking ; the hind-legs are almost as long as the 

 body, and the thighs are very thick : on the 

 fore -feet are five toes, with long conic and strong 

 claws ; on the hind-feet only three ; the middle 

 toe is very long and thick, like that of an ostrich, 

 the two others are placed very distinct from it, 

 and are small ; the claws are short, thick, and 

 blunt; the bottom of the feet and hind part, 

 black, naked, and tuberculated, as the animal 

 rests often on them. The tail is very long, ex- 

 tending as far as the ears; thick at the base, 

 tapering to a point. Within the pouch of the 

 female are two breasts, each of them furnished 

 with two teats ; and it is believed she brings 

 forth but one at a time. When first born, the 

 young kanguroo hardly exceeds an inch in 

 length ; and till it becomes able to shift for it- 

 self, resides entirely within the pouch of the dam, 

 occasionally leaving it for exercise or amusement. 

 The hair on the whole animal is soft, and of an 

 ash colour ; lightest on the lower parts. 



This animal inhabits the western side of New 

 Holland, and has as yet been discovered in no 

 other part of the world. It lurks among the 

 grass, and feeds on vegetables ; it goes entirely 

 on its hind-legs, making use of the fore-feet only 

 for digging, or bringing its food to its mouth. 

 It is very timid ; at the sight of men it flies from 

 them by amazing leaps, springing over bushes 



