VI.— ANIMAL PRODUCTS. 



The peculiar character of the Australian indigenous animals 

 is due to the geological character of the land. Australia, the 

 oldest part of our globe, has to some extent, a corresponding 

 fauna ; the greater portion of the land as well as many of the 

 types of its animals dating as far back as the pie-oolitic period. 

 Nearly all the Australian mammals are pouch-bearing (Mar- 

 supiata) ; some show other signs of the low rank which 

 they hold in reference to the development of their physical 

 organization. 



The same observation may, in some degree, be applied to the 

 birds and other animals inhabiting Australia. There are no 

 animals here of a higher order, and more useful to man, 

 than these marsupiata, whose utility to him is but limited. 

 Fortunately, the physical condition and the climate of the 

 country offer considerable advantages for the introduction of 

 many species of quadrupeds, birds, and fishes, from abroad. 

 The alpine region of our colony with its never-parched meadows, 

 the thickets of the forests, the cool and verdant glens of the 

 ranges, the more arid scrubby plains in the north-west, all are 

 apt to receive such animals as are accustomed to live in corres- 

 ponding places in other parts of the world. 



Amongst the more useful of our native animals are the 

 different species of kangaroos ; their skins form an article of 

 commerce, and their venison is brought to our markets. 

 Excellent meat is also furnished by the porcupine anteafer 

 (Echidna hystrix). Opossums, native cats, ivomhats, in fact, 

 nearly every marsupiate quadruped, as well as the platypus 

 (Ornithorhynchus paradoxus) , are clad in a valuable fur. 



Of birds, the following may be mentioned as valuable to man ; 

 The emu, whose flesh is highly prized, as well as its eggs and 

 their shells ; geese and ducks on account of their flesh, feathers, 

 and eggs ; the same may be said of the native turkey (Otis 

 Australasianus) ; the Murray pheasant (Leipoa ocellata), and 

 many others ; the mutton bird (Puffinus Brevicaudatus) for its 

 feathers, oil, and eggs. A great number of other birds are used 

 for food, and the brilliant plumage of many of the members 

 of the feathered tribe render them much sought for private 

 collections of natural history, and a considerable traffic exists 



e2 



