the 'whole' of the animals on the continent are marsupial. The brains of
this species are very small, and they sadly lack intelligence, in which
respect they exhibit a wonderful affinity to the aboriginals who live by
their capture.

[ILLUSTRATION -- GROUP OF KANGAROOS.]

Of kangaroos there are more than thirty different kinds, but the English
are now so well acquainted with this curious animal that it needs no
description. There are two things about it, however, that I may with
propriety here point out -- viz., the use of the pouch, and the various
ways in which the kangaroo is serviceable to the settler. The average size
of the ordinary female kangaroo is about six feet, counting from the nose
to the tip of the tail; and, marvellous though it may appear, the young
kangaroo, at its birth, is but little over an inch in length, having a
vague kind of shape, certainly, but otherwise soft, semi-transparent, and
completely helpless. Now the pouch comes into use. The little creature is
conveyed there by the mother's lips, and immediately attaches itself to one
of the nipples, which are retractile, and capable of being drawn out to a
considerable length. Thus constantly attached to its parent, it waxes
bigger daily. From two to eight months of age it still continues an
inhabitant of its curious cradle, but now often protrudes its little head
to take an observation of the world at large, and to nibble the grass
amongst which its mother is feeding. Sometimes it has a little run by
itself, but seeks the maternal bosom at the slightest intimation of danger.
It quits the pouch for good when it can crop the herbage freely; but even
now it will often poke its head into its early home and get a little
refreshment on the sly, even though a new-comer may have succeeded to its
place.