447 
Dr. Shaw has found it necessary to separate from these the kanguroo, 
Didelphis gigantea, Linn, and has formed of it a distinct genus, to 
which he has given the name Macropus ; the animals of which trans- 
fer their young, even before they are fully formed, to a pouch beneath 
their belly, or carry them, when formed, on their backs. 
M. Cuvier divides the genus Didelphis into the following subgenera : 
I. Sarigue, with ten incisors, the middle a little the longest, in the 
upper jaw, and eight in the lower jaw ; the canine teeth long and 
pointed ; the tail naked and prehensile, Here he places the following 
species: 1. Didelphis marsupialis and carcinophaga , Linn.; Did. 
virginiana , Penn. Did. opossum, Linn. Did. murina, Linn. Did. 
cayopollin and dorsigera, Linn. Did. hrachiura, Did. memina. 
II. Dasyure, with eight incisors above, and six below ; a tail fur- 
nished with long hair, and not prehensile. The only species which is 
referred here is Did. macuata. 
III. Phalanger, with six incisors above, and two long below, directed 
horizontally forwards ; three or four canine below, hardly passing out 
of the gums : the second and third toes of the hind feet, and sometimes 
the fourth, joined together to the claw. Here are brought Did. 
orientalis and Did. volans. 
M. Cuvier agrees with Dr. Shaw in separating the kanguroos from 
the genus Didelphis. 
From the elevation of the coronoid apophysis above the condyle, 
and the sharp projection formed by the posterior angle of the lower 
jaw, M. Cuvier drew his first inference, that this fossil animal belonged 
to the order of carnivorous animals. 
The elevation of the condyle much above the horizontal line on 
which the teeth are placed, prevents these remains from being at- 
tributed to the carnivorous animals with teeth with a cutting edge, 
such as the dog, cat, ichneumon, weasel, badger, &c. which have the 
condyle nearly in a line with the teeth. This circumstance brings 
this fossil animal among the small pedimanes or plantigrades, or 
