MAMMALIA. 401 



regarded as a family, subdivided into many genera, and con- 

 taining numerous species. 



We have a very vivid recollection of a scene we once 

 witnessed at the Surrey Zoological Gardens. On the abdomen 

 of a large bluish-grey coloured Kangaroo, we noticed two 

 appendages, which a 

 second glance told us 

 were the fore-feet of the 

 young one. In another 

 moment, theheadpeeped 

 out, and the young 

 creature began gazing 

 around. The mother 

 then bent down, and, 

 with great tenderness, 

 began licking its face 



andhcad. Theseendear- Fig 302 ._ KMGAE00 . 



ments being finished, the 



young one came out, and was amusing itself on the ground, 

 when alarmed by a sudden noise, it jumped into the pouch, 

 and was seen no more, leaving us as much astonished as when, 

 in our boyish days, we first saw Harlequin escape from his 

 pursuers by jumping through a picture. 



Passing by the family (Phdlangistidce) which includes the 

 "Flying Squirrel," we come to that of the Opossums (Didel- 

 phidce). The Opossums are peculiar to America, and are found 

 diffused from the southern border of Canada to Chili and 

 Paraguay. "The largest known species scarcely equal in size 

 the Common Cat, and by far the greater number, approaching 

 more nearly to that of the Common Rat. "Their food 

 consists chiefly of insects; but small reptiles, as well as birds 

 and their eggs, are attacked by the larger species.*' The 

 feet are shaped like hands, and the hinder feet are furnished 

 with opposable thumbs.* 



Some of the Opossums have no pouch, t or at least this 

 reception for the young is found only in a very rudimentary 

 condition in certain species, and the young, which at first 

 remain firmly attached to the nipples, are subsequently carried 



* Waterhouse's Mammalia. 



f From this circumstance they are included by Mr. Ogilby in the same 

 order as the Monkeys, and regarded as belonging to that division to which 

 he has given the name Pedimana. 



