Year: 1879




.. The Kangaroo.


Until comparatively lately the mode
OF reproduction of the kangaroo was
not known, and the widest theories
we're advanced to account for the pres
ence of blind and imperfectly devel-
oped young one in the pouch. Anxious
to settle this point, Prof Owen availed
himself of an opportunity of studying
the subject in the Geological Gardens,
and made the remarkable observation
that when the young one was born it
was transferred to the pouch by the. lips
OF the mother, and became firmly fixed
to the mammary gland, there provided
for it. When born, the young is not
more than an inch long in the largest
kangaroo. II is blind and hairless, and
the legs are nearly all the same lengt b.
he nails are just perceptible; but
there is nothing to indicate the extraord-
mary development of the hind legs and
middle great toe SO characteristic of
the adult. The exters sion of the man.
mary gland enters far into the mouth of
the young, and the attachment is so
firm that it is separated only by much
much force, and life is extinct in very
short time after removal. 1t has not been
ascertained with certainty how long this
close relationship between the parent
and young subsists, but it is probably
not less than two months; and it has
been proved conclusively that the moth
er's nOurishment continues to be sought
long after the young is free to leave the
pouch, and has begun feeding on grass
on its own account. 49, T.,


For some months at least the pouch
is the place of refuge for the young,
which enters it head-foremost, turns q
complete somersault, and brings the
nose and all the toes in a bunch to the
opening, when in this position remind
/ ing one forcibly of hermit-crab. The
mother evinces the utmost solicitude for
the safety of her young, and when hunt
ed and burdened with her charge will
allow the dogs t. press her very closely !;
but at the last moment she will seize
the young with her fore paws, draw it
from the pouch, and throw it aside
Casually to be killed at once by her pur-
suers), to enable her to gain place of
refuge The leapinng powers Of the great
kangaroo when in full career are most
remarkable. A series of intervals be-.
tween the impression of the hind feet on
damp sand was measured, and gave an
average of more than 20 feet for the
stride, and in this instance the kanga-
roo went clear away from a couple of
the best dogs 8 S a-ui,


Much misapprehension exists as to
the use of the heavy tail; and even
/ colonists, who must be quite familiar
with the animas, will persistently as
sert that it is used as an organ of pro-
gression, and is great help in the leap.
By the arrangement of its muscles the
tail is, however, untitled for any such
purpose, and could not possibly be con-
verted into a lever to act in concert with
the legs. In two positions the tail ap-
pears to lend some support; that is,
when the animal is sitting on its haunch-
es, and when feeding; and in one very
singular position the tail becomes an
important instrument in supporting the
body, which may occasionally be OBJ
served in confinement, but is often pre-
sented to the kangaroo stalker. The
animal raises itself on the extreme ends
of the great nails ON the hind-feet, and
stifens its tail as third support, when
it is seen to stand upon veritable
/ tripod, and is thus enabled to command
wide field of view. The attitude is
most grotesque, and some individuals
when standing thus must be nearly sew
en- feet high. '''


The tail of this curious animal also
comes into play in balancing the body
and bringing it to the necessary angle
for the point of departure of each sue
cessiye leap, and it no doubt facilitates
those sharp "doubles" by which the
kangaroo astonishes and confounds the
most active dogs. The fore limbs differ
immensely. from the hinder, The
s'hand" has FIVE digits armed with
strong nails, which in old specimens
grow to a length of 4 or 5 inches, and
frequently assume spiral forms, or bend
1 round their base. This is more observ.
able in confined than wild animals, the
latter keeping down the growth by rest
ing on them while feeding, and by more
frequent use. The digits appear to bt
capable of being brought into opposi.
llOfI W C6Cu w SOLuO CAtCube wi


parasites are captured and many othel


actions performed with ease. Kanga
roos swim we'll; and on one occasion


the writer saw female crossing small


creek with young one, which she hell


between her fore limbs with its heat


just above water; and on landing clos


to the observers place of concealmen


she placed it on the ground and i


plunged into the pouch. .safb


The smaller species of kangaroo ar
as much nocturnal as diurnal, and ma,
be seen in open forest land in number
on moonlight nights. They are con
scious of the security afforded them b
darkness, for they will dash across


clearing and stop just within cover Q
scrub or thick bush, and allow one t
approach within few feet withou
moving away. If stone is thrown int
the place where they were heard to STOP
they dash off, and it is perceived .


once how near they we're; while in day
light it might not have not been poss
BILE to come within a hundred yards {
.u,<2o., Tc.,s.,<.7 .