CHAP. XVII.] 
MAMMALIA. 
251 
The well-known Kangaroos are the most largely developed 
family of Marsupials, and they appear to be the form best adapted 
for the present conditions of life in Australia, over every part of 
which they range. One genus of true terrestrial kangaroos (Dor- 
copsis), inhabits the Papuan Islands, as do also the curious tree 
kangaroos (. Dendrolagus ) which, without much apparent modifica- 
tion of form, are able to' climb trees and feed upon the foliage. 
The genera, as established by Mr. Waterhouse, are as follows : 
Macropus (4 sp.), West, South, and East Australia, and Tasmania 
(Plate XII., vol. i. p. 441) ; Osphmnter (5 sp.), all Australia ; 
Halmaturus (18 sp.), all Australia and Tasmania ; Petrogale (7 
sp.), all Australia ; Dcnclrolagus (2 sp.), New Guinea (Plate X., 
vol. i. p. 414) ; Dorcopsis (2 sp.) Aru and Mysol Islands, and 
New Guinea ; Onychogalca (3 sp.), Central Australia ; Lagor- 
chestes (5 sp.), North, West, and South Australia ; Bettongia (6 
sp.), West, South, and East, Australia, and Tasmania ; Hypsi- 
prymnus (4 sp.), West and East Australia, and Tasmania. 
Extinct Macropodidm . — Many species of the genera Macropus 
and Hypsiprymnus have been found in the cave-deposits and 
other Post-Tertiary strata of Australia. Among the extinct genera 
are Protemnodon and Sthenurus, whicli are more allied to the 
tree-kangaroos of New Guinea than to living Australian species ; 
the gigantic Diprotodon , a kangaroo nearly as large as an elephant ; 
and Nototherium , of smaller size. 
Family 81.— PHALANGGSTIDJE. (8 Genera, 27 Species.) 
General Distribution. 
Neotropical 
Sub-regions. 
3S earctic 
Sub-regions. 
Pal^earctic 
Sub-regions. 
Ethiopian 
Sub-regions. 
Oriental 
Sub-regions. 
Australian 
Sub-regions. 
1.2 
The Phalangistidae, or phalangers, are one of the most varied 
and interesting groups of Marsupials, being modified in a variety 
of ways for an arboreal life. We have the clumsy-looking 
tail-less koala, or native sloth ; the prehensile-tailed opossum-like 
phalangers ; the beautiful flying oppossums, so closely resembling 
