THE KANGAROO 



spread of the cultivation and occupation of the land in 

 Australia. 



Nevertheless they are harmless and timid, unless the 

 large old males become wounded, or are caught or 

 interfered with ; at such times they are found formidable 

 antagonists, ripping and tearing, with the feet and claws, 

 men or dogs. 



One is tempted to regard the kangaroo as exemplifying 

 the early transition from the bird or reptile to the more 

 perfectly-developed mammal. Its immature birth, slow 

 growth, and deficiency in the development of the brain ; 

 want of tenderness and care for its young ; dull perception 

 and entire lack of intelligence ; its bird-like hop on its 

 ■ hind-legs, and its ungraceful crawl on all fours, — all place 

 it little above the reptiles that creep and hop over the 

 earth. 



Of this form how wonderful are the modifications 

 adapted to different kinds of life ! We have a tree 

 kangaroo (Bendrolagus imistus) ; this animal is destined 

 to live in the forest, to climb from tree to tree and jump 

 from branch to branch, feeding upon the leaves, flowers, 

 tender branches, and shoots, and moving awkwardly on 

 the ground. Have we not also one form of kangaroo 

 that lives in the ground ? Gray's Jerboa kangaroo 

 (Bettongia grayi) digs a burrow like a rabbit and passes 

 the greater part of its time there, coming out to feed only 

 at night. 



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