ORDEKS OF MAMMALIA. 



323 



ropodidcn), distinguished by the remarkable disproportion between 

 the hind and fore hmbs, the former being by far the longest and 

 strongest. By their long hind-legs, assisted by a powerful tail, the 

 Kangaroos can perform astonishing jumps, and, in fact, leaping is 

 their mode of progression when pursued. 



The typical Kangaroos live on the great grassy plains of Australia; 

 but the Tree Kangaroos spend a great part of their time in trees, 

 and the Rock Kangaroos affect mountainous districts. The Kan- 

 garoo-bear or Native Sloth {Phasoolarctos cinereus), has no tail, and 

 has the body covered with a short, dense fur, whilst the ears are 

 tufted. The fore-feet can be used as hands, and the toes are all 



Fig. 229.— The female ot DiddpTiys dorsigera, one of the South American Opossums, 

 carrj'ing its young upon its back. 



furnished with strong curved claws. It is- a harmless nocturnal 

 animal, and spends most of its existence in trees. The typical 

 group, however, of the vegetable-eating Marsupials is that of the 

 Phalangers, comprising a large number of small animals which live 

 in trees, and generally possess a prehensile tail. The most familiar 

 example is the Australian " Opossum " (Phalangista mtlpina), which 

 is largely hunted by the natives. In the so-called " flying " Phalan- 

 gers, again, the tail is not prehensile, and the animal takes extensive 

 leaps from tree to tree, by means of a fold of skin which stretches 

 between the body and the fore and hind limbs. 



Of the carnivorous Marsupials, the Bandicoots {Perameles), the 

 Native Devil {Dasyurus), the Native Tiger {Thylacinus), and the 



