INTRODUCTION. 
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south, with their thick and impenetrable brushes, are better adapted for the members of this genus than the 
hotter country of the north. 
The Onychogalece are, par excellence, the most elegantly formed and the most beautifully marked members 
of the whole family, and they are, moreover, as graceful in their actions as in their colouring they are pleasing 
to the eye. One species, the 0. frcenata, inhabits the brigaloe-scrubs of the interior of New South Wales and 
Queensland, and probably South Australia. The O. lunata plays the same part, and affects very similar 
situations, in Western Australia ; while the 0. ungufera, as far as we yet know, is confined to the north- 
eastern part of the continent. 
The Lagorchestes are a group of small hare-like Kangaroos, which dwell in every part of the interior of 
the southern portion of the mainland, from Swan River on the west to Queensland on the east ; one species 
has, however, been found in the northern districts — the L. Leichardti, as it has been named, in honour of its 
discoverer, the late intrepid and unfortunate explorer, Dr. Leichardt. They are the greatest leapers and the 
swiftest runners among small animals I have ever seen ; they sleep in forms, or seats, like the Common Hare 
( Lepus timidus ) of Europe, and mostly affect the open grassy ridges, particularly those that are of a stony 
character. The beautiful L.fasciatus of Swan River is one of the oldest known ; the L. Leichardti the latest 
yet discovered. 
The Bettongice, with their singular prehensile tails, also enjoy a wide range, the various species 
composing the genus being found in Tasmania, New South Wales, Southern and Western Australia, 
but, so far as we yet know, not in the north. For a more detailed account of the localities favoured 
with the presence of these animals, and the manner in which their prehensile tails are employed in 
carrying the grass for their nest, I must refer to the history of the respective species, and particularly 
to the plate of Bettongia cuniculus. 
The Hypsiprymni are the least and, perhaps, the most aberrant group of this extensive family. They 
inhabit the southern and most humid parts of the country, and are to be found everywhere, from Tasmania 
to the 15th degree of latitude on the continent in one direction, and from the scrubs of Swan River and 
King George’s Sound to the dense brushes of Moreton Bay in the other ; like most other Kangaroos, they 
are nocturnal in their habits, grub the ground for roots, and live somewhat after the manner of the 
Peramelides , with which, however, they have no relationship. 
To render my history of this group of animals the more complete, I have included in the work the three 
species inhabiting New Guinea : two of these belong to the genus Dendrolagus, and, as their name implies, 
dwell among the branches of trees, and rarely resort to the ground : the third forms the genus Dorcopsis, of 
which a single species only is known ; it has doubtless some peculiar habits, but these must be left for a 
future historian to describe ; at present they are unknown. 
The great family of the Kangaroos, of which what I have here written must only be regarded as a slight 
sketch, is well worthy the study of every mammalogist. It forms by far the most conspicuous feature 
in the history of Australian quadrupeds ; and, numerous as are the species now known, I doubt not that 
