222 MAMMALIA—WOMBACH. 
death If there is a river or pond near, the kanguroos are sure to retreat 
thither when hard pressed, and in this way readily baffle the natives’ dogs, 
by shoving under water and drowning such as may venture in beside them. 
From the great length of their hind legs and tail, they are enabled to stand 
on the firm bottom, while the dogs are obliged to swim; and in this way a 
fight between a large kanguroo and a pack of dogs affords a most amusing 
spectacle. The kanguroo stands gravely upright, with his fore paws spread 
out before him, wheeling round and round to ward off his assailants; and 
whenever one arrives within his reach, he pounces his paws upon him, and 
sousing him suddenly under, holds him fast in this position, gazing all the 
while around with the most solemn, simpleton sort of aspect, heedless of 
the kicking and sprawling of his victim, whom he quickly puts an end to, if 
some courageous colleague does not in good time advance to its aid, and 
force the kanguroo to let his half drowned antagonist bob above water 
again; the dog paddles forthwith towards shore, shaking his ears and 
looking most piteously, with no inclination to venture in a second time, 
notwithstanding all the halloos and cheerings with which you urge him.” 
The kanguroo may be domesticated. ‘One of the largest tame kangu- 
roos I have seen in this country,” says Mr Cunningham, “is domesticated, 
and a mischievous wag he is, creeping and snuffing cautiously towards a 
stranger, with such an innocently expressive countenance, that roguery 
could never be surmised to exist under it; when, having obtained, as he 
thinks, a sufficient introduction, he claps his fore paws on your shoulders, as 
if to caress you, and, raising himself suddenly upon his tail, administers 
such a well put push with his hind legs, that it is two to one but he drives 
you heels over head! This is all done in what he considers facetious play, 
with a view of giving you a hint toexamine your pockets, and see what don 
bons you have got for him, as he munches cakes and comfits with epicurean 
gotit ; and if the door is a-jar, he will gravely take his station behind your 
chair at meal time, like a lackey, giving you an admonitory kick every now 
and then, if you fail to help him as well as yourself.” 
THE WOMBACH.1 ' 
Tuts animal is a native of New South Wales, and was discovered in te 
year 1798. It is about the size of a badger, a species of which it was sup- 
posed to be, from its dexterity in burrowing in the earth by means of its 
fore paws ; but, in its general motions, it appeared to have much of the 
habits and manners of a bear. It hasa large head, a broad forehead, a 

1 Phascolomys wombat. This animal is the only one of the genus. It has two upper 
and two lower incisors ; no canines; ten upper and ten lower molars. Incisors strong 
and thick; molars with oval crown divided a furrow; body thick; head large, flat; 
ears short; eyes much separated ; feet with five toes, the anterior armed with crooked 
and robust nails for digging; thumb of hind feet very small, nailless; tail scarcely appa- 
tent; an abdominal pouch in the female. 
