stream, on each side of the windpipe, into the
stomach.
Thus aided and protected by modifications of structure,’ observes Professor Owen, “both in the system of the mother, and in its own, designed with especial reference to each other’s peculiar condition, and affording, therefore, the most irrefragable evidence of creative foresight, the feeble offspring continues to increase from sustenance exclusively derived from the mother for a period of about eight months. The young Kangaroo may then be seen frequently to protrude its head from the mouth of the pouch, and to crop the grass, at the same time that the mother is browsing. Having thus acquired additional strength it quits the pouch, and hops at first with a feeble and vacillating gait, but continues to return to the pouch for occasional shelter and supplies of food till it has attained the weight of ten pounds. After this it will occasionally insert its head for the purpose of sucking.”
The great Kangaroo (Macropus giganteus, SHAW), the largest species yet known, was the first seen by Europeans. It was first discovered during Captain Cook’s first voyage, in 1770, on the coast of New South Wales. “On Friday, June 22nd,” says that navigator, “a party who were engaged in shooting pigeons for the use of the sick of the ship, saw an animal which they described to be as large as a greyhound, of a slender make, of a mouse-colour, and extremely swift.” The same animal was soon after seen by Captain Cook himself, and by Mr. Banks, and at length the wishes of the party to examine this extraordinary creature, were gratified, by the
