THE KANGAROO. 
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being about three feet ; and weighing about 
one hundred and fifty pounds. The general 
size of the kangaroo is equal to that of a 
sheep. The upper parts of the animal are 
'smalfi the lower much larger, yet such is the 
elegance of gradation in this respect, that the 
kangaroo may justly be considered as one of 
the most picturesque of quadrupeds. The 
head bears some resemblance to that of a 
deer, and the countenance is mild and placid. 
From the breast downward the body gradually 
enlarges ; the tail is long and taper, thick at 
the base, and narrowing to a point. 
The fore-legs of the largest kangaroos are 
about nineteen inches in length ; the hinder' 
ones being three feet six or seven inches- 
From this great disproportion it was long be' 
lieved that the former were not used in loco- 
motion, but merely for digging its burrows iP 
the ground, and in raising food to its mouth- 
Though it has been seen running on all font 
