3 02 



BACKBONED ANIMALS. 



nearly of the same length ; the claws are long and powerful, 

 to assist in climbing. In strange contrast to the great kan- 

 garoo is the Pandemeleon wallaby, twenty inches in length. 

 The hare kangaroo is a powerful leaper. Mr. Gould re- 

 cords one as leaping over his head when chased by dogs. 

 Fossil kangaroos are found in Australian cave-deposits. 

 The Diprotodon was a kangaroo as large as an elephant. 



VALUE. Kangaroo fur and leather are somewhat used. 



FIG. 327. Australian marsupials. Kangaroos : i, leaping ; 2, showing 

 young in the pouch ; 3, flying phalanger ; 4, koala or native bear, with 

 a young one on its back. 



Wombats (Phascolomyida). The animals of this 

 family are confined to Australia. They are tailless, about 

 the size of the badger, with flat heads, and short legs, 

 adapted for digging. They feed upon vegetation, and bur- 



