The whole island seemed to teem with game, and had we been able to fire, we
should speedily have made a good bag, but this we dared not do, so I made a
mental resolve to return at some future time and make amends for this
enforced restraint. At nearly every step, we put up some bird or beast
strange to European eyes.
I have no doubt it is known to most of my readers that Australia is
destitute of 'Ferae' proper, and that elephants, lions, tigers, etc., are
unknown. They will also know that the kangaroos are marsupial animals;
that is to say, the females have a peculiar pouch for their young, which
are born in a far less advanced state than the young of other animals. But
perhaps it is not so generally known that, with two or three exceptions,
such as the dingo or native dog, the platypus, and several species of bats,
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
Book 64 3 John
001:001 The elder to Gaius the beloved, whom I love in truth.
001:002 Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be healthy,
even as your soul prospers.
001:003 For I rejoiced greatly, when brothers came and testified
about your truth, even as you walk in truth.
001:004 I have no greater joy than this, to hear about my children
walking in truth.
001:005 Beloved, you do a faithful work in whatever you accomplish
for those who are brothers and strangers.
001:006 They have testified about your love before the assembly.
You will do well to send them forward on their journey
in a manner worthy of God,
001:007 because for the sake of the Name they went out, taking nothing
from the Gentiles.
001:008 We therefore ought to receive such, that we may be fellow
workers for the truth.
001:009 I wrote to the assembly, but Diotrephes, who loves to be first
among them, doesn't accept what we say.
001:010 Therefore, if I come, I will call attention to his deeds
which he does, unjustly accusing us with wicked words.
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.
AN AUSTRALIAN SEARCH PARTY -- III.
BY CHARLES H. EDEN.
A FULL-GROWN "paddy melon," a small and beautiful species of kangaroo,