ORDERS OF MAMMALIA, 317 
known are the Kangaroos (JZacropodide), distinguished by the 
remarkable disproportion between the hind and fore limbs, the 
former being by far the longest and strongest. By their long 
hind-legs, assisted by a powerful tail, the Kangaroos can per- 
form astonishing jumps, and, in fact, leaping is their mode of 
progression when pursued. 
The typical Kangaroos live on the great grassy plains of 
Australia ; but the Tree Kangaroos spend a great part of their 
time in trees, and the Rock Kangaroos affect mountainous 
districts. The Kangaroo-bear or Native Sloth (Phascolarctos 
cinereus, fig. 171) has no tail, and has the body covered with a 
short, dense fur, while the ears are tufted. The fore-feet can be 
used as hands, and the toes are all furnished with strong curved 
claws. It is a harmless nocturnal animal, and spends most of 
its existence in trees. The typical group, however, of the vege- 
table-eating Marsupials is that of the Phalangers, comprising a 
large number of small animals which live in trees, and generally 
possess a prehensile tail. The most familiar example is the 
Australian “ Opossum” (Phalangista vulpina), which is largely 
hunted by the natives. In the so-called “flying” Phalangers, 
again, the tail is not prehensile, and the animal takes extensive 
leaps from tree to tree, by means of a fold of skin which 
stretches between the body and the fore and hind limbs. 
Of the carnivorous Marsupials, the Bandicoots (Perameles), 
the Native Devil (Dasyurus), the Native Tiger (Zhy/acinus), 
and the American Opossums (Didelphide), may be mentioned. 
The Bandicoots are little, rabbit-like Australian animals, which 
live upon insects, and seem to fill the place held in the Old 
World by the Hedgehogs and Shrew-mice. The Native Devil 
and Thylacine, though both of comparatively small size, are 
extremely ferocious, and do much mischief to the flocks of the 
Tasmanian colonists. About twenty species of Didelphide are 
known, and they are all exclusively confined to the American 
continent. They are all of small size, have prehensile tails, and 
mostly live among trees. The best-known species is the 
Virginian Opossum (Didelphys Virginiana). 
ORDER III. EDENTATA or BRUTA.—This order of Placental 
Mammals comprises the Ant-eaters, Armadilloes, and Sloths, 
and is characterised by the fact that the teeth are not.covered 
with enamel, have no complete roots, and are never replaced by 
