ORDER XI. THE MARSUPIALIA. 343 



Tlie jMacro[>i have t\vcnty-cii;ht tcoth, sixteen above anil twelve below. 

 In tlic first division of the family of ilacropodidii! are the Ilifpxipvijini, or 

 kangaroo rats, wiiich differ eliicHy from the true kangaroos in possessing dis- 

 tinct canines. Like the latter, tliey live on vegetables, and progress on their 

 iiind le'i-s. As little is known of their habits, we can only record their names : 

 IIi/psipn/niHUs muriuus, II. Gllberlit, II. Whitei, II. peuicilhitits, II. 

 Ogilhiji, II. ciiniculus, II. rufescens, and II. Grail. In the second divis- 

 ion are the Macro[ii proper. 



2I((croj)us Gi(janteus. — Tlie Great Kangaroo. This animal attains a 

 length of about four feet, exclusive of the tail, which is nearly three feet 

 long. The general color is a grayish-brown, but tlie nuistaehes and toes 

 are black. It was first discovered by some of Captain Cook's party in 1770, 

 while that distinguished navigator was on the coast of New South Wales. 

 lie thus alludes to it: "On Friday, June 22, a party engaged in shooting 

 pigeons for the use of the sick of the ship, saw an animal which they de- 

 scribed to be as large as a greyhound, of a mouse color, and extremely 

 swift." 



Pennant's interesting account of this crcatiu'c we subjoin in his own 

 words. "It inhabits the western side of Xew Holland and ^'an Diemen's 

 Land. The natives call it Kangaroo. It lurks among the grass, feeds upon 

 vegetables, drinks by hipping, goes chiefly on its hind legs, making use of 

 the fore feet only for di^'frincr, or brin^inij: its food to its mouth. It is very 

 timid. At the sight of men flies from them by amazing leaps, springing 

 over banks seven or eight feet high, and going progressi\ely from rock to 

 rock. It carries its tail quite at right angles witli its bod}' when it is in 

 motion, and when it alights, often looks back. It is much too swift for 

 greyhounds ; is \ery good eating, according to our first navigators; but the 

 old ones, according to the report of more recent voyagers, were lean, coarse, 

 and tough. 



"The weapon of defence was its tail, with which it would beat away the 

 strongest dog. 



"In the spring of the present year (1793) I had an opportunity of ob- 

 serving the manners of one brought into the capital alive. It was in full 

 health, very active, and vcr^- mild and good-natured. On first coming out 

 of its place of confinement, it for a little time went on all fours, but soon 

 assumed an upright attitude. It would sport with its keeper in a very sin- 

 gular manner. It first placed its tail in a perpendicular manner, erected its 

 body on it as a prop, and then raising its wliole body, darted its hind legs 

 on the breast of the man. It was capable of striking with great force if pro- 

 voked, and it could scratcli violentlj- with its fore claws." 



The kangaroos, although drawn in great numbers to places where food is 



