A U S T R A L I A ,
•city would gradually take tlia placo ot abundance, and now would
1 tlie extinction of a race tlint had fulfilled its part in
tlic great Sclieme of Creation. Tie more uimble species, ivith
teeth better adapted to cutting tbe short grass, would not be sensibly
affected by tlie cliange, and witli pastares ever extending tliey would
spread and multiply. Thus, the riidoly-organised Lave diaiippearad,
whilo tho ogUo species remain.
ThcsQ giants of the past were probably about the size of the
Hippopotamus or Ehinocoros, and would present a strange appoarance
as they toiled slowly over tha plains in search of food; in their
clumsy bodies we see the prototypes of forms which now abound
in tho land, just as in the remains of the Siberian Mammoth wo are
inclined to recognise the progenitor of the Elephant of the current
era. 'ITie abundance of animal life was kept in chock by several
Carnívora (among them a species of dog) which are now extinct; but
in the past as in the present, there is no evidence of the existence at
any timo in Australia of Camivara which could be compared with
the Lion and Tiger of Southern Asia, or the Puma and Jaguar of
tropical America,
Among the majninals of Australia which »rc now extinct, is one
member of the dog tribe (Cánido:). Some remains have been found
in the vicinity of Welhngton. From six to ten species of the RocUnlia
family, it is ascertained, have ceased to exist, Of Wombats
iPhancolomyidoi), about sixteen species are represented by their
remains only. In the Pluiianginiidce, which includes the Bi/protodon,
Notnl.hmum, ZygomaiuTun and Thylocolea, about fifteen species are
now extinct. None of the Kangaroos {MacTopodidce), remarkable for
their ponderous bodies, remain. Tha same may be said of at least
some species of Bandicoot {PeramcUdts). Four large species of Native
Cat {DnsptTidw), and probably one form of Echidna, have
disappeared.
It is worthy of notice, that though two of the larger Daxyures,
Thylacimis and SarcophiU^, have become extinct in Australia, they
are still found in Tasmania. From this it might be inferred that the
causes which operate in the direction of extinction of these animals
were less operative (if, indeed, at all active) in the smaller island,
than on the mainland. Following ap such a line of reasoning we
might arrive at important conclusions on tho decline and extinction of
a race of animals; and from the particular, gather fragments of
the hidden working of some general law co-extensive with Creation.
The birds of Austraha are numerous, and in many eases remarkable
for the beauty of their plumage. A very large number are
peculiar, but several are common to other parts of the world.
Reptiles are plentiful in many parts; several species are dangerous.
Pish are abundant in tho rivers, lakes, lagoons, creeks, and
adjoining seas; several kinds are delicate, and in demand as an article
of food.
Invertebrate life, from the Molluscs of estuarine and littoral
habitat to the Sydroioa of the adjacent seas, abounds in a variety of
Mcirsupialia.—The Kangaroo IMacropu.'major) is without doubt
the most prominent type which now remains of the whole marsupial
order. First discovered in the vicinity of Port Jackson at the time of
Captain Cook's visit to these shores in 1770, it has long since
disappeared from the slopes and brush-lands about Sydney, but
is occasionally seen so near the metropolis of New South Wales as the
south side of Port Hacking, where it is sometimes hunted. It is
the largest member of tho marsupial tribe on the mainland of
Australia. This branch of the family is still niunerons in the barren
unoccupied ridges around Jervis Bay, but is not found on the west
coast. Its habitat is limited to the southern parts of the continent
iind Tasmania. Necessity frequently compels the settlers in certain
localities where they are more than ordinarily numerous, to destroy
them in largo numbers, in order to preserve tho gra-ss for their flocks
and herds. It has been found that, with the destruction of their
natural enemy the dingo, and tho disappearance of the aboriginal
tribes whu killed large numbers for food, thoy multiply so rapidly that
measures for their extermination are absolutely necessary. Tho fur is
short imd wooUy; tlieir colour is genei-ally a dark grey, the under
portions of tho body being lighter, A full-grown aniiiial weighs
abou12001bs. Tli e mal e, whi oh is th e 1 argo r, assumes nn atti tude of d e -
fence when brought to bay. Under these cii-cumstances it ^vill attack a
man, and can very easily dispose of a dog. They are very fleet; their
ninniug consists of a series of bounds in which the hind feet
only arc used, the tail fonning a balance to steady the erect posture
of the body. When grazing, the front feet, which are short, a.isist in
supporting the upper part of the trunk. The expression of the
faco is mild and gentle. The young arc readily tamed. There
aro several species of Mncropndidce. Tho Western Kangaroo
[Maivopus ocydromvs) is very similar in many respects to that of
the south-east coast, but is smaller in size, and has finer limbs
and shorter fur. In colour it is darker, and the legs lighter. This
species is found in Western Australia. Tha Sooty Kangaroo
(MacTopitg fiUiginosus) was first discovered by the French in
Kangaroo Island on the south coast, from which it has since disappeared.
Its fur was longer, more woolly, and hnd a yellowish
colour. Another species, known as the Red Kangaroo {Mturopiis
Tufus), is of a bright orange-red colour; this characteristic is due
to an excretion from the body. It differs slightly in dentition
from the ordinary kangaroo, and is foimd in the interior of New
South Wales, Queensland, and South Australia. Tho female lacks
tho brilliant appearunco of the other sex, and inclines to grey.
The Red Wallaroo (Macropiig ¡wHIopimt), which is found in the
vicinity of Port Essington, ranges about 4 foot in height, and has
short fur lying close to the body. It is of a brown colour with
the under parts of a lighter tint, and differs slightly in form from
the Great Kangaroo, The Black Wallaroo frequents the mountainons
districts of New South Wales. Its legs are short but very powerful.
This specios is of a deep slaty-grey colour.
Wallabies or Brush Kangaroos (Genus hahnaluTiu), which are
very numerous in various parts of Australia, are much smaller
than the Great Kangaroos. The skull is shorter than in the Macrop^
u, but the teeth are similar, and are expressed by tho same
formula. They are, to some ejrtont, nocturnal in their habits. Tho
smaller species are found in New South Wales; a larger kind
has ita habitat in Tasmania. Parry's Wallaby [SalmatMr^xs Parr<ji) is
one of the fleetest of the smaller marsupials. Its tail is elongated,
and the front feet are powei-fiil. It is of a silver-grey colour,
with the under parts white, and is found on the Clarence River in
New South "Wales, and at Wide Bay, and on the Burnett and
Dawson Rivers in Queensland. Th© Black Wallaby [EalmaUima
ualahaliii) is much smaller than the ordinary Kangaroo, but in many
respects resembles it. The fur is of a medium length, coarse to
tho touch, and is of a deejj bro\vn colour, with tha feet and tail almost
black. It is found in tho coast districts of New South Wales. A
species {Rtilmahmui MrisUreii) which resembles it, but is somewhat
lighter in colour, has been found on tho Burnett River in Queen.iland.
The Red-necked Wallaby (Ealmaiurus ruHeollia) is said to have been
found in King Island in Bass Sti'ait, and also near Sydney. There is
reason, however, to doubt these statements. The Black-8tri])ed
Wallaby (Ealmaturiui dorauUi] is not so large as the species last
referred to, and is found in the southern part of Queensland, and the
north-eastern parts of Now South Wales. The Black-gloved Wallaby
{Kalmalurua matncaiTii) is of a grey colour, and is found in Western
Australia. The Ealmnturus agilis is of a sandy colour, and is a
native of Queensland. Balmatums Greyi, Derbianue, and SaiUmanni
are found, the first two, in South Australia, and the last in Western
Australia. Pademelons, of which there are at least half a dozen
different species, frequent the mountainous parts near the coasts of
New South Wales, Western Australia, Queensland, and Tasmania,
Rock-wallabies or Rock-kangaroos ((?eni/a Pel/ragaka), of which
there are about sis different species, ore found on the southern,
eastern, and western coasts of Australia.
Silky-haired or Nail-tail Kangaroos {Genug Onychoyatea) are
diminutive, seldom exceeding the sixe of a common hare. The fur
is soft to the tonch, and of a light grey colour. They have canine
teeth partly developed, and frequent the plains of the interior.
Hare-kangaroos CTeniw Layorchcsles), of which there are several
specios, are found on tho plains of New South Wales, South Australia,
and Victoria, and also in Western Austraha, They resemble tho hare
in size and generiil appearance, and are the fleetest members of their
tribe. The hind logs are long and slender, and their canine teetl
have a marked development.
Bettongs or Jerboa Kangaroos {Genun BHtonyin) are very small
members of the mai-snpia! order, their weight being from 3 to Gibs.
They climb readily, and thus stand as a connecting link between
wallabies and opossums. Tho different species are found in almost
every part of Australia.
Kangaroo-rats {Genus HyprnfrymnuB), of which there are several
species found in Now South Wales, Western Australia, and Tasmania,
somewhat resemble the Bandicoot, They move slowly. With the
exception of ono species, the head is elongate in form, and. the
development of the canine tooth is a prominent feature.
Tho Phalangers {Plifilangielidfr), which terra includes Opossums,
Native Bears, Plying Squirrels, beside several extinct forms, are
a very numerous family, being found in almost every part of
Australia. Tho only exception, perhaps, is the Koala or Native Bear,
which is limited to the east and south-east coasts. There is
considerable difference in the habits and dentition of this group.
The Common Opossum (Phalangiila Yulpina) is the most prominent