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EN TROD U CLLON. xxl

south, with their thick and impenetrable brushes, are better adapted for the members of this genus than the

hotter country of the north.

The Onychogalee are, par excellence, the most elegantly formed and the most beautifully marked members
of the whole family, and they are, moreover, as graceful in their actions as in their colouring they are pleasing
to the eye. One species, the O. frenata, inhabits the brigaloe-scrubs of the interior of New South Wales and
Queensland, and probably South Australia. The O. lunata plays the same part, and affects very similar
situations, in Western Australia; while the O. unguifera, as far as we yet know, is confined to the north-

eastern part of the continent.

The Lagorchestes are a group of small hare-like Kangaroos, which dwell in every part of the interior of
the southern portion of the mainland, from Swan River on the west to Queensland on the east; one species
has, however, been found in the northern districts —the Z. Letchardti, as it has been named, in honour of its
discoverer, the late intrepid and unfortunate explorer, Dr. Leichardt. They are the greatest leapers and the
swiftest runners among small animals I have ever seen; they sleep in forms, or seats, like the Common Hare
(Lepus timidus) of Europe, and mostly affect the open grassy ridges, particularly those that are of a stony
character. The beautiful LZ. fasciatus of Swan River is one of the oldest known; the Z. Letchardti the latest

yet discovered.

The Bettongie, with their singular prehensile tails, also enjoy a wide range, the various species
composing the genus being found in Tasmania, New South Wales, Southern and Western Australia,
but, so far as we yet know, not in the north. For amore detailed account of the localities favoured
with the presence of these animals, and the manner in which their prehensile tails are employed in
carrying the grass for their nest, I must refer to the history of the respective species, and particularly

to the plate of Bettongia cuniculus.

The Hypsiprymn are the least and, perhaps, the most aberrant group of this extensive family. They
inhabit the southern and most humid parts of the country, and are to be found everywhere, from Tasmania
to the 15th degree of latitude on the continent in one direction, and from the scrubs of Swan River and
King George’s Sound to the dense brushes of Moreton Bay in the other; like most other Kangaroos, they
are nocturnal in their habits, grub the ground for roots, and live somewhat after the manner of the

Peramelides, with which, however, they have no relationship.

To render my history of this group of animals the more complete, I have included in the work the three
species inhabitng New Guinea: two of these belong to the genus Dendrolagus, and, as their name implies,
dwell among the branches of trees, and rarely resort to the ground: the third forms the genus Dorcopsis, of
which a single species only is known; it has doubtless some peculiar habits, but these must be left for a

future historian to describe ; at present they are unknown.

The great family of the Kangaroos, of which what I have here written must only be regarded as a slight
sketch, is well worthy the study of every mammalogist. It forms by far the most conspicuous feature

in the history of Australian quadrupeds ; and, numerous as are the species now known, I doubt not that