446 
GliEAT KAKGUROO. 
this early period of its growth, the mouth is merely 
a round hole, just large enough to receive the 
point of the nipple ; but it gradually extends with 
age., till capable of receiving the whole nipple, 
which then lies in a groove, formed in the middle 
of the tongue, and well adapted to that purpose. 
It seems probable, that in the first state it is 
attached to the teat by a viscid gelatinous sub- 
stance, which is always found in the uterus. At 
this time, feeble as it may appear in other respects, 
the fore paws are, comparatively, large and strong, 
and the claws extremely distinct, to facilitate the 
motion of the little animal during its residence in 
the large pouch ; w hile the hind legs, which are 
afterwards to become very long anti stout, are now 
both shorter and smaller than the others. The 
young one continues to reside in the pouch till it 
has attained its fhll maturity, occasionally running 
out for exercise or amusement ; and even after it 
lias quitted its maternal retreat, it often runs into 
it for shelter on the least appearance of danger. 
The kanguroos live entirely on vegetable sub- 
stances, and chiefly on grass. In their native state 
they are said to feed in herds of thirty or forty to- 
gether ; and one is generally observed to be station- 
ed, apparently on watch, at a distance from the 
rest. According to Labillardicre, they seem to 
he nocturnal animals. They have the eye fur- 
nished with nictitating, or winking membranes, 
situated at the interior angle, and capable of 
being extended at pleasure entirely over the ball. 
They live in burrows, which they form in the 
ground. 
One of the most remarkable peculiarities of this 
animal, is the extraordinary faculty which it has of 
Beparating, to a considerable distance, the two long 
fore teeth in the lower jaw. This, however, is 
