ORDER CARNASSIER. 23 



visible. The number of the mammae vary, and is especially 

 considerable among the Didelphes. 



The physiognomy of these animals is in relation to their 

 natural habits and modes of living. 



The Didelphes and Dasyuri have a conic head, elevated 

 ears, mouth deeply cut, and the aspect of carnivora. The 

 Perameles rather resemble Rats, the Long-legged Kangu- 

 roos, Hares, and the Phascolomys the Marmot. 



Some, such as the Didelphis and Dasyuri, are Carnassiers, 

 living on eggs, small birds,, and corrupted flesh, and some- 

 times crustacea and insects. Others, as the Kanguroo and 

 Phascolomys, are sustained purely on vegetables. The 

 Phalangers are probably both frugivorous and insectivorous. 



They are all remarkable for the imperfect development 

 in which the young are born. Even in the species without 

 pouches, and with prehensile tails, the young hang under 

 the belly of the mother for a certain time ; then they mount 

 on her back, and twist their tails round hers to fix them- 

 selves. The young of the Koala which has no tail, fixes 

 itself on the parent's back, and fastens there with its hands, 

 in the manner represented in our figure of this species. 

 The number of the young is variable. In the Didelphes, 

 from ten to twelve, and in the Kanguroo, usually but one. 



The Marsupiata are generally solitary. Some remain 

 constantly on the trees, the Didelphes, the Phalangers, and 

 Koalas. Others ferret continually in the rocks on the sea- 

 shore, as the Dasyuri. Others remain constantly at the 

 bottom of their burrows (the Phascolomys.) The Kan- 

 guroos, feeble animals, and without means of defence, live 

 in troops. They alone serve for the purposes of nourish- 

 ment to man, whom they avoid only by means of that 

 activity with which they execute such rapid and extended 

 leaps. Their skins are the only clothing worn by the 

 natives of those countries which they inhabit. 



A very remarkable fact is, that the Marsupiata, have, 



