Kangaroo

(kăng-gah-roo'.) (Zool.) A fam. (Macropod ide) of Australian Marsupials, whose limbs aro strangely dis proportioned, the fore-legs being small and short, whilst the hinder are long and powerful. The largest species, M. Major, is four or five feet in length, with a tail three feet; its usual position is standing on its hind-feet, its fore-feet being employed like a pair of hands. It lives on vegetables, and, instead of walking, takes leaps of about fifteen feet. It is furnished, like the opo um, with a pouch in the abdomen, which is a receptacle for its young, and is resorted to after they become strong for the sake of warmth and protection. They use their tails and hinder feet as weapons of defence. The flesh of these animals is said to be nutritious and savory, somewhat resembling mutton. Kangaroo' Island, lies off the coast of S.Australia, in S. Lat. 35° 43′, E. Lon. 137° 58′31″; area, abt. 1,900 sq. m. It is a poor and almost desolate place. [s. 512]