ANIMALS. 371 



the exception of the American Opossums, and a 

 few in the Indian Islands, are only to be met with 

 in New South Wales and its dependencies, is a 

 circumstance, we can as little comprehend, as we 

 can explain many other very extraordinary 

 phenomena, which, in the natural world, are so 

 frequently presented to our observation. 



The Kangaroo, unlike the Opossum, which 

 often brings forth a very numerous offspring and 

 accommodates the whole in her abdominal pouch, 

 has rarely more than one at a time; and if we 

 except the peculiar conformation which we have 

 just explained, may be considered altogether a 

 very different animal from the Opossum, though 

 Linnaeus has made it one of the species of that 

 genus. 



The motions of the Kangaroo also are very dif- 

 ferent from those of the Opossum, whose legs 

 are formed, and used, the same as most other 

 Quadrupeds ; while the actions of the Kangaroo, 

 excepting at the time of grazing, or of burrowing 

 under ground to form its retreat and for which 

 its sharp, hooked claws are well adapted, are 

 always performed on its bind legs assisted by 

 its powerful tail, which, acting as a lever, produ- 

 ces all the effect of an extra limb ; and these 

 together, enable it to take such broad and rapid 

 leaps, that the fleetest grey hound can scarcely 

 overtake it ; making bounds of twenty feet, or 

 more at a time, and with the greatest ease springing 



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