THE KANGAROO. 



3.17 



sides of the face. The hands, feet, and tip of the tail, are black. Another genus* is found in 

 New Guinea; only two species f are known. 



The last genus J of the present Order contains only one species 



THE WOMBAT. 



THIS animal is found in New South Wales, South Australia, and Van Diemen's Land, as well as in 

 some of the islands of Bass's Straits. 



In its general figure it appears clumsy : its limbs are short ; its muzzle blunt ; its eyes very small ; 

 its ears short and pointed ; its. nostrils widely separated ; and its ears a mere tubercle. Its broad fore 

 feet have five toes, with strong nails for burrowing ; the hind feet have also five toes, but the inner 

 one is very small, and without a nail. The teeth are formed for grinding roots and other vegetable 

 substances. 



^ttiJ^W 

 ^ ,- 



WOMBATS. 



The fur is moderately long and very coarse, indeed almost bristly ; its general tint is gri/zled- 

 bro.wn, or gray mottled with dusky-black; the feet are black; the under parts of the boilv dirty- 

 white. The tip of the muzzle is naked ; and the length of the head and body upwards of tin IT fVrt. 



The Wombat, a slow and indolent creature, lives in burrows, which, however, it excavates to a 

 considerable depth; here it reposes during the day, its habits being nocturnal. It has a quiet 

 temper, and but little intelligence. When provoked, it utters a hissing sound. Its flesh is said to be 

 excellent. 



One domesticated at Been, in the Tumat country, would remain in its habitation till dark ; it 

 would then come out and seek for the milk-vessels, and, should they be closed, it would contri\.- 

 to get off the covers, and, at the same time, drink and bathe. It would also enter the little 



* Dendrngalus : S. Muller. t D. ursinus, &c. : Inustii.v J I'hascnlomvs : (.IcciVroy. 



Plja?colomys AVombat : Peron and Lesueur. Didelphis ur.-ina : Shaw. 



