CHAPTER XV 
ORDER OF POUCHED MAMMALS 
MARSUPIALIA 
N animal is said to be “‘low”’ in zoological rank accord- 
ing to the distance of its position below the highest 
types of animal life. Thus, a hairless, fish-like mammal, with 
very simple teeth, like a porpoise, is far lower than the mon- 
keys and carnivores. 
As we approach the Orders of mammals which we have 
been taught to place at the end of the list, we encounter some 
very strange forms, which are of greater interest to the special 
student than some higher forms which are duplicated many 
times over. Fortunately for our purpose, all the Orders of 
living mammals, save two, are represented in North America. 
Although the Order Marsupialia is too extensive, and the 
majority of its members too far away, to justify its full ex- 
position here, it is desirable to mention all its Families: 
OrpER MarsuPIALIA 
FAMILIES HABITAT 
KANGAROOS.......... Ma-cro-pod'i-dae. . . Australia, New Guinea, Aru Is. 
PHALANGERS......... Phal-an-ger’i-dae... Australia. 
Wompats...... .....Phas-co-lo-my'dae..5. Australia. 
CAENOLESTES........ E-pan-or'thi-dae....South America. 
BaNDICOOTS.......... Per-a-mel'i-dae..... Australia and New Guinea. 
DasyuRES AND Tas- 
Das-y-u'ri-dae .. . Australia. 
MANIAN WOLVES... 
North, Central and South 
. te ’ 
OPOSSUMS............ Di-del-phy'i-dae.... Aenea. 
MarsupiaLt Motss...No-to-ryc’ti-dae ....Australia. 
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