29G LECTURE VII. 



the class mammalia, amongst the oppos- 

 sum tribe. From observing the peculiari- 

 ties of structure in the sexual organs of the 

 animals last mentioned, Mr. Hunter was 

 convinced that they did not produce their 

 young like other quadrupeds ; yet he was 

 unable to get the American oppossum to 

 breed in this country. The facts have been 

 ascertained, since our more free communica- 

 tion with New Holland. That large animal, 

 the Kangaroo, produces a young one, not 

 exceeding twenty grains in weight, which 

 is received into the abdominal pouch of 

 its parent, and being there protected from 

 cold and injury, clings to the nipple of its 

 mother, and takes sustenance according to 

 its wants. It is curious to observe the dif- 

 ference of form between the parent and its 

 young offspring. The mother has mon- 

 strous hind legs, by which she springs to a 

 surprizing distance, whilst her fore paws are 

 ' very diminutive, serving merely to feed and 

 to scratch with. On the contrary, the 

 young Kangaroo has monstrous fore paws, 

 with which it clings to the nipple of its 

 mother, and scarcely any hind legs ; so 



