22 
MAMMALIA. 
we read of in mythology, receiving fresh vigour every time they 
touch the ground. 
To complete the portrait of the Giant Kangaroo, we must add 
that its muzzle is long and slender ; its ears large and straight ; its 
body thin in front ; very massive, on the contrary, behind ; that it 
possesses only four toes on the posterior extremities, and that one 
of these toes is provided with a most murderous nail ; that its coat 
is composed of silky hair on the head, the members, and the tail, 
and of woolly hair on the rest of the body ; lastly, that in its diet 
it is essentially herbivorous. 
The Kangaroos inhabit Australia and Yan Diemen’s Land; three 
species only are found in Kew Guinea. They live in little troops, | 
placed, it is said, under the direction of old males, and keep by 
preference to woody places. The females have one, or at most two 
young ones at a litter. Their flesh is excellent ; they are accord- 
ingly keenly pursued by sportsmen, with Dogs trained especially 
for the purpose — a breed between the Mastiff and the Greyhound. 
The tail of these animals is not only an apparatus of propulsion, 
it serves them also as a defensive arm. Many a time have 
Kangaroos, pursued by Dogs, been seen to strike them heavy 
blows with their tails. But that which protects them more 
efficaciously than this organ against the attacks of their enemies is 
the powerful nail which terminates the fourth toe of their hind 
leg. Isidore Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire states that, to make use of it,, 
the Kangaroo stands erect against a tree ; leaning on this with its I 
fore paws, it supports itself with its tail. This tree, or any other 
obstacle high enough for the purpose, is absolutely necessary to it, 
since, as it always moves its two hind limbs at the same time, it 
cannot lean upon one and employ the other in fighting. 
When a combat takes place between two Kangaroos matters are 
arranged in a much simpler manner. The adversaries stand up 
face to face against each other, and tear each other’s bellies to 
pieces, as a couple of Japanese might do. The males alone 
fight in this manner amongst themselves. 
Kangaroos easily accommodate themselves to captivity ; they 
bear the climate of Europe perfectly, and breed freely in our 
menageries. It would therefore be very desirable to encourage, 
by all means in our power, their multiplication in our country, as 
they have begun to do in England ; especially as, says M. Florent- 
