412 ZOOLOGY. 
and Macrotis). About half of the species found in Van Diemen’s Land 
are peculiar to it, the other half are found on the eastern part of the main 
land. 
The species of Marsupialia of the continent of Australia, which are 
very nearly allied and have very nearly similar habits, are not associated 
together in the same limited district. 
Fossil remains of Marsupialia have been found chiefly in Australia and 
South America; that is to say, in the same localities inhabited by these 
animals in our days. Most of them are referable to the same genera. In 
Europe a species of the genus Didelphis, and the new genus Pterodon, are 
from the tertiary beds, and the extinct genera Amphitherium and Phasco- 
lotherium, from the oolite of Stonesfield, the oldest representatives hitherto 
known of the class of Mammalia. 
Group 1. Herbivora. 
Fam.1. Macropopwa. The true herbivorous group of Marsupialia is 
characterized by six incisors in the upper jaw, and two in the lower; by 
the absence of canines in most cases (there is sometimes a small one in the 
upper jaw); by one premolar and four molars, making twenty-eight or thirty 
teeth. The fore limbs are smaller than the hind, usually much inferior in 
proportions; the hands naked beneath, and having five well developed 
fingers; each finger armed with a strong curved claw. The hind legs are 
large and strong; the foot long, and the toes four in number. The tail is 
long, and usually very powerful. There are four mamme. The kangaroos 
are vegetable feeding animals, browsing upon herbage like the ruminants. 
Some are of a great size, whilst others are as small as a hare. 
This family constitutes the main bulk of the marsupial population of 
Australia, the only place where remains of extinct species of kangaroos 
proper have been hitherto found. 
Kangaroos use their fore feet less for walking than for gathering thei 
food, which they take sitting erect on the hind legs and tail, in the fashion 
of the hare and squirrel. They live in small troops, conducted by an old 
individual, and pass from place to place in the forests and mountains to 
procure food. If frightened or hunted, they jump and run with great 
agility and swiftness, sometimes making leaps of from twenty to thirty feet, 
over ravines, precipices, and bushes. In this their powerful tail is used as 
well for preserving their equilibrium as for a means of propulsion. The 
kangaroos defend themselves with courage and skill against their enemies. 
Many species weigh two hundred pounds when full grown, whilst others 
only reach a weight of fifty to sixty pounds. All afford a wholesome and 
agreeable food. There are species of all colors, grey, black, red, &c. The 
female produces only one young, which is carried about in the pouch, and 
is the object of constant care until fully grown. Kangaroos, when taken 
young, are said to have been tamed to such a degree as to make no effort 
at escape when allowed to run free. | 
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