Page:The mammals of Australia Gould vol 2.djvu/219

, Gould.

Nail-tailed Kangaroo.

singular Kangaroo than the present does not exist among the known species of this great family of animals, its whole contour being characterized by a degree of elegance seldom seen among the Mammalia; but its most peculiar feature is the well-developed but somewhat flat nail at the end of the tail. It is said that the Lion has this organ terminating in a spiny hook; and here we find an analogous feature among the Kangaroos. From the discovery of Australia to the present time (March 1863), the single specimen of this animal in the British Museum is the only one that has been sent to Europe. It win be seen by the accompanying illustration, that the appendage which renders this species so remarkable is covered and protected by a well-developed tuft of lengthened hairs. Reduced figures of the entire animal will be found on the succeeding Plate, and a more lengthened description on the accompanying page.