ORDER CARNASSIER. 21 



lation of Marsupiata, or, as some call them, Marsupiales, 

 from the character of the pouch. It may, however, be well 

 questioned, whether as a generic or classic term, it be 

 unobjectionable. There are many species in which this 

 character of the pouch does not exist, while, on the con- 

 trary, there are none without the double matrix which 

 would render the Linnaean appellation of Didelphis more 

 universally suitable to all the species. 



Be that as it may, the Marsupiata are unquestionably 

 the most singular of all known quadrupeds. With the 

 exception of the peculiarities of their generation, there 

 is scarcely any character in common among them. The 

 organs of locomotion and digestion vary considerably, and 

 that in a manner so nicely graduated, that all the shades 

 between the Carnassiers properly so called, and the genuine 

 Rodentia, are discoverable among the animals in question 

 by the character of the teeth. Their extremities are equally 

 modified from those which are designed to dig the earth, to 

 those adapted for climbing with the utmost facility the 

 loftiest trees. 



The feet among some, as the Phascolomys, are calculated 

 for digging in the ground. In this case, there are five toes 

 armed with powerful nails on the fore feet, and four only 

 on the hinder, with a small tubercle instead of thumb. 

 With others (as the Kanguroos, Potoroos, and Perameles) 

 the hinder feet are conformed for the execution of rapid 

 leaps ; and then they have but four toes, the second of which 

 is very strong, longer than the others, and furnished with 

 a nail almost as thick as a hoof. The two internal ones 

 are small and connected. The metatarsus is very long, 

 as well as the limb to which it belongs. The fore-paws 

 are very short, and terminated by five toes furnished with 

 tolerably long talons. In the Phalangers, which are eminent 

 climbers, the posterior thumb is considerably separated, 

 and without a claw ; the two toes which immediately fol- 



