THE KANGUROO. 233 



Description Mode of defence. 



It moves altogether on its hind legs, making suc- 

 cessive bounds of ten or twelve feet, with such 

 rapidity as to outstrip the fleetest greyhound. 

 It also springs from rock to rock, and leaps over 

 bushes seven or eight feet higb with apparent fa- 

 cility. The claws are only three in number, the 

 middle one exceeding the others greatly in length 

 and strength; but the inner one is of a remark- 

 able structure; at first sight appearing single, 

 though on farther inspection it is found to be 

 really divided down the middle, and even through 

 the ball of the toe belonging to it, appearing as 

 if separated by a sharp instrument. 



The tail of the kanguroo is long, very thick 

 near its insertion, and tapering toward the end. 

 This is occasionally used as a weapon of defence; 

 for with it the animal can strike with such asto- 

 nishing force as even to break the leg of a man. 

 The colonists for some time considered this as 

 the chief instrument of defence ; but having of 

 late hunted the kanguroo with greyhounds, it was 

 discovered that they use both their claws and 

 teeth. When overtaken and seized, they turn, 

 and catching hold with the nails of their fore 

 paws, strike the dog with the claws of their hind 

 feet, which are prodigiously strong, and tear him 

 to such a degree that the hunters are frequently 

 obliged to carry him home on account of the se- 

 verity of his wounds. The native dogs of the 

 country hunt and kill the kanguroo ; but these 



NO. v. 2 G 



