CHAPTER XV 



Order X. Marsupialia 

 (Pouched Animals) 



HT^HE animals of this order show such remarkable 

 1 modifications of structure that they are easily dis- 

 tinguished from those of other divisions of the animal 

 world. The Latin word marsupium means a pouch or bag, 

 which is the most marked feature of nearly all the female 

 Marsupials, which originally caused them to be called 

 ' Purse-bearing animals.' Strangely enough, some of the 

 males possess a pouch that can by no means be called 

 rudimentary. The skin of the lower part of the abdomen of 

 the female is doubled upwards in a fold to form a pouch in 

 which are the teats. Into this receptacle the young are 

 introduced while they are in a very immature state, 

 and there they remain until they are able to shift for 

 themselves. 



Reference to the skeleton of the Kangaroo, or the 

 Opossum, will show the remarkable prong-like marsupial 

 bones projecting upwards and forwards from the pelvis. 

 Their purpose is to prevent the weight of the young 

 pressing unduly upon the abdomen of the parent, which 

 would incommode, if not prevent, rapid progression. The 

 pouch is modified in various members of the order ; in some 

 cases it opens backwards ; in others it is the merest rudi- 

 mentary skin fold ; and in at least one instance it is replaced 

 by but a patch of longer hair. 



The various families of the Marsupials differ very con- 

 siderably in their diet. Many of them are strictly herbi- 



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