these, however, it had no difficulty in escaping,
through its extreme swiftness; and it was curious
to see it bounding up a hill, and over the garden-fence, until it had placed itself under the protection
of the dogs belonging to the house, especially two
of the Newfoundland breed, to which it was attached, and which never failed to afford it their
assistance by sallying forth in pursuit of its adversaries.
Specimens of this beautiful species, as well as of the Great Kangaroo, and of several other kinds, have at different times lived in the menagerie of the Zoological Society of London; as also in the splendid menagerie of the Earl of Derby, at Knowsley Park.
Family VI. Phalangistadæ.
(Phalangers.)
The pretty little animals of this group bear a very obvious analogy to the Squirrels of the Placentalia. Yet in true affinity, they are closely related to the Kangaroos, which we have just dismissed, the small Kangaroo-rats (Hypsiprymnus) affording the connecting link.
The Phalangistadæ possess small canines in the upper jaw; the incisors in both jaws are inclined forward, and those below, and the middle pair above are large and long: the skull in front is shorter, but posteriorly longer than in the preceding Family. The hind-feet have four well-developed toes, all armed with large curved claws, the innermost two of which are united; besides these there is a large opposible thumb, which is
