THE KANGAROO i8i 



and in these the form is of course modified to suit their habits. 

 The snout is not so long, while the claws are suited for clinging 

 to branches, for which purpose the tail, which is long and pliable, 

 is also used, in the manner of some monkeys. 



The ant-eater, like most of the Edentates, sleeps during the day 

 and moves about at night. It makes no den or nest into which 

 it may retire, but when it wishes to rest it covers its body with 

 its large bushy tail. The thick skin with which nature has 

 provided it sufficiently protects against attacks of ants. 



MARSUPIALS 



This is a large class of mammals which differs from those we 

 have already read about in the fact that its members produce their 

 young at a very immature stage, and in order to protect them 

 until they are more fully developed, the female is provided with a 

 pouch in which she carries them for several months. It is from 

 this pouch that the group receives its name of " Marsupials " or 

 " Pouched Animals ", the Latin word marsupiiim signifying a 

 pouch or purse. 



THE KANGAROO 



The Kangaroo is a verj' strange-looking animal. When it is 

 sitting upright, which is its more usual position, it looks like a 

 greatly overgrown hare. It has very small and short fore -legs; 

 but its hind-legs, and especially the thighs, are very large. 



In consequence it does not run, like almost all other animals, 

 but hops along, in a nearly upright position, like a dog when 

 "begging". 



Its big hind-legs are so powerful that at every bound it springs 

 over about fifteen feet of ground. If it be alarmed it can travel 

 so fast that even a swift dog can scarcely overtake it. 



Each hind foot of a kangaroo is armed with a very large 



