688 



THE TROPICAL WORLD. 



ing, and resemble at a little distance a coat of coarse or hanging hair. It feeds on 

 fruits, eggs of birds, and tender herbage, and is said to be as voracious as the ostrich. 

 The cassowary is a very swift runner ; striking out alternately with one of its robust 

 powerful legs, it projects its body violently forward with a bounding motion far sur- 

 passing the speed of the horse. 



The Australian Emu [Dromaius Novce Hollandice) is allied to the cassowary, 

 though differing in many external characters. Both the helmet, and the long pens or 

 quills observable in the wings of the latter, are here wanting ; its neck and legs are 

 longer, its feathers, for the most part gray and brown mixed, are not so filiform, and 

 its beak also is diflferently shaped. In size it more nearly approaches the ostrich, , 

 rising to a hight of seven feet, and from its great muscular power is able to run so 

 quickly as to distance the swiftest greyhound. Incessant persecutions have driven it 

 far away from the colonized parts of the country ; but it has still a vast range in the 

 wilds of the interior. It lives on fruits, eggs, and even small animals, which it swal- 

 lows entire. 



