( 318 )
XV. Description of a New Species of Macropus from New Holland. By Aylmer Bourke Lambert, Esq. F.R.S. V.P.L.S.
Read April 16, 1805.
Macropus elegans.
Macropus argenteus auriculis subobtusis, pedibus anticis pentadactylis.
Tab. XVI.
The account of this animal, and the drawing which I here offer to the Society, were taken from a living specimen lately brought from New South Wales, and now in the, possession of Mr. Pidcock of Exeter 'Change. It is distinguished by the Settlers in that country, by the name of the Silver or Brush Kangaroo, and by the Natives is called Ba-ga-ree. It appears to be a very distinct species from the first discovered one, which Dr. Shaw in his General Zoology[1] has named Macropus major, differing from that, not only in colour, but also in being much smaller, and of a more handsome shape. The colour is a beautiful silver-gray; and, upon the whole, it is one of the most elegant animals I ever saw. It is also very docile.
Dr. White, who so long resided in New South Wales, informs me that this species is very scarce, and that its habits are very different from those of the common Kangaroo, it being always
- ↑ Shaw's General Zoology, vol. i. p. 505.
