XX 



NEW GUINEA AND ITS INHABITANTS 



421 



ing a sufficiency of herbage for their support in the dense 

 forests, began to feed upon leaves, and ultimately became 

 adapted, with as little change as possible, to a truly 

 arboreal life. The entire absence of beasts of prey would 

 favour this adaptation, as the coincident acquisition of 



Fig. m.—Dactyloimla trivirgata (one-third natural size). 



swiftness of motion or powers of concealment are thus 

 rendered unnecessary ; and the tree-kangaroo accordmgly 

 remains a slow-moving creature, just able to get its own 

 living, but in all probability quite unable to cope either 

 with enemies or competitors. (See figure at top of plate 

 at p. 424). 



