Page:The New International Encyclopædia 1st ed. v. 11.djvu/416

* KANGAROO. 882 K'ANG-HI. knife, and one blow, fairly delivered, will kill the average hound. Kanf,'aros have been, and are still, so constantly Imnleil. that in many dis- tricts they are now exterininati'd. In other dis- tricts they seeni to be on the increase. They aro hunted not only for the llesli, which is excellent eating, and the hides, which make valuable leather, but also on account of the damage which they do by tlicir peculiar method of grazing. The big incisor teeth of the lower jaw clip the grass or leaves like a jiair of slicars. Thus kangaroos nibble llie grass and other plants much closer to the soil than sheep or cattle. Although not ex- actly gregarious, kangaroos are often seen in large numbers where satisfactory food is abun- dant. Under such conditions one or more of the old ones keep a sharp lookout for danger. The number of young produced at a birth is usually one or two, but may be three. When bon they are very small (an inch or less in length), blind, naked, and entirely unalile to help themselves. They are taken by the mother, with her lips, and placed in the pouch on a teat to uhieh they finnly cling with the mouth, the wind- pipe being so arranged that swallowing and breathing do not interfere with each other. The young do not suck the milk, but it is pumped down their throats by the action of the muscles of the mother. In the pouch the young remain for weeks or even montlis, gradually increasing in size, and assuming the adult form. As they mature, they occasinnally leave the pouch, but they keep near the mother and return to her whenever danger threatens. At this time they are frequently seen with the head thrust out of the pouch in which they are being carried. In captivity, kangaroos are gentle and timid; eases are known where they have been frightene<l to death. Species. The best known species of kangaroo is the one to which reference has already been made, the common or gray kangaroo {Macropii^ giriaiiteus), also called 'boomer,' 'forester,' and 'old man.' It is one of the largest species, an old male, when erect on his hind feet and tail, standing seven feet high, but the females aro only about two-thirds as large. The color is usually dull yellowish-brown, paler beneath, darker on the tjiil. but the exact shade varies greatly, and generally the pelage has a distinctly grayish east. The name 'gray' kangaroo dis- tinguishes it from an allied slightly larger form, the great red kangaroo {Mncropus 7'ufus), so called because the fur of the neck of the male is tinged with a earniine-like secretion. The latter species also differs from the common kan- garoo in having the muille entirely free from hair. There are numerous other sjiecies of this same genus, of which Macropiis Brunii deserves special mention. This species is remarkable for the fact that it is found farther north, tJius nearer the equator, than most of the other mendiers of the genus, its habitat being in the Aru Islands and Great Key, near Xew fiuinca. The northernmost habitat of a Macropus is the island of New Ireland, northeast of Xew Guinea, where Macro- pus Broicni is found, while in the island of Misol, west of Xew Guinea, and near the equator, there occurs another kangaroo (Dorcopsis Mud- leri), representing a Papuan genus, characterized by small ears, large naked muffles, well-developed canine teeth in the upper jaw, and other peculiarities of dentition. Another Papuan genus of great interest is Dendrolagus, which includes the tree-kangaroos (q.v.). These curious little kangaroos feed <in liark, leaves, and fiuit, and are found only in the forests of New Guinea. The hare-kangaroos, found only on the grassy ]ilains of Australia, form the genus Lagor- chestcs, and are small, long-limbed, short-tailed creatures, which make 'forms' like those of the hare. The rock-kangaroos (q.v.) of the genus Petrogale are also conlined to the Australian mainland and dill'er very little from the smaller species of AI::croi)Us, but inhabit rocky regions and make their retreats in caves and boles. There are three species of kangaroo in which the tail terminates in a horny point, the use of which is still unknown. They are designated the spur-tailed kangaroos and constitute the genus Onychogale, confined to the Australian mainland. Remains of kangaroos are foimd fossil in the Pleistdccnc strata of .ustralia, but they are mostly referable either to JIacropus or Petrogale. Some of these were larger than any of the now living kangaroos. Three genera are known which have no living representatives, and of these Palorchestes is notable as the largest known member of the subfamily. Consult autlior- ities cited under Australia and Marsupialia. Also Banks, Journal of the h't. lion. ,Sir Joseph Banks, edited by Hooker (London, IS'Jfi) ; Wheel- wright ('. Old Bushman'), Hush Wanderings of a Naturalist (London, ISfi.'j). See Colored Plate of jMarstpiai.s; and Plate of ICanuaroos. KANGAROO APPLE (Hohmum avicularc). A ])laiit, native of Peru, Xew Zealand, Australia, and Tasmania, in which latter countries its fruit is called kangaroo a])ple. and is used as fond. When unripe it is acrid, and produces a burning sensation in the tliroat, but when fully ripe, a condition indicated by the bursting of the skin, it is mealy and subacid. It is eaten raw, boiled, or baked, and is an important food product. KANGAROO BEAR. The koala (q.v.). KANGAROO GRASS (Anihisliria eiliata) . One of the most estcciiied fiiddcr-grasses of Aus- tralia and cultivated in India. It attains a height of three feet, affords abunilant herbage, and is much rclislicd by cattle. The genus is allied to Andropogon, and has clusters of flowers with an involucre. The awns are long and twisted. Anthistiria gigantea, Anthistiria ar- guens, and Anthistiria membranacca are other Australian species to which the name kangaroo grass is given. They are all nutritious grasses, and are considered valuable for pasture. KANGAROO RAT. A rat (Perodipus Ordi) of the arid Soutliwestern United States, with very long hind legs and great leaping powers. It is a member of the large family Ilcteromyida', and is related to the jerboas. The present species is yellowish buff above, blackish on the rump, sides of nose, spot behind eacli ear; band across the thighs, and under parts white; tail very long and tufted. Length of body about four and one-quarter inches. It is an active, restless, noc- turnal little creattirc, digging intricate burrows indicated by hillocks of the earth ejected, and preparing for winter by making a wann nest and storing up large quantities of sunflower seeds and similar provender. K'ANG-HI, kang'he', or K'ANG-HSI (10.5.5- 1722). The .second Emperor of the Ta Tsing or