156 FIELD AND FOREST. 



fauna. Were it not for these evidences, we would be justified in look- 

 ing upon this order as but the emanation of the fertile and imaginative 

 brain of a Munchausen, so distinct are these animals from those oc- 

 cupying like positions and relations, in portions of the world, other 

 than their own ;. as it is, but little knowledge has been obtained of 

 some of the species, many of which are known as mere specimens. 



Much has been done towards clearing up the obscure points in the 

 history of this group by Owen, Hunter, Meckel, Huxley, Temminck, 

 Darwin and others, yet much remains to be achieved ; the gaps yet to 

 be filled by the zoologist and anatomist are numerous, broad and 

 deep, though many have been partially bridged by the discovery of 

 fossil remains. 



All the mammalia pertaining to the Macropidce possess that wonder- 

 ful modification of the nutrient organs which has given rise to the 

 name of marsupial, from the possession of a marsupium, or abdominal 

 pouch by the females, for the protection of their immature young. 

 This pouch is supported by two elongated bones issuing from the su- 

 i perior spinous process of the pelvis, and lying just within the flesh on 

 iifthe front of the abdomen, extending in the same plane with the spinal 

 - column. In the interior of this pouch, upon the lower part of the 

 ! belly, are placed the mammas. When the young of the marsapials are 

 1 first issued into the world, they are extremely small, and totally 

 unable to undergo the treatment to which the offspring of non-mar- 

 supial animals are subjected ; hence they are transferred by the parent 

 to her pouch, where they hang from the teats until they have attained 

 considerable dimensions. According to Owen, this transfer is ac- 

 complished by the mother in the following manner: Applying her two 

 fore paws to the sides of the pouch, she drags them in opposite direc- 

 tions, so as to distend and enlarge the opening, in the same manner 

 . as one holds open a bag. Now, lying on the ground in a favorable 

 position, she seizes the tiny little one, with her lips, as soon as ushered 

 into the world, and places it upon one of the mammas, and there re- 

 tains it until it has seized the teat. Having arrived at this stage in 

 its existence, the young marsupial has no further need of assistance, 

 as it adheres so firmly as to .require considerable force to remove it. 

 At this time the young are in such feeble and imperfectly developed 

 condition as to be incapable of self-sustenation. To prevent the death 

 • of her offspring, through starvation, while in this helpless stage, the 



