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I
CHAP. XVII,] MAMMALIA. 251
The well-known Kangaroos are the most largely developed
family of Marsupials, and they appear to be the form best adapted
for the present conditions of life in Australia, over every part of
which they range. One genus of true terrestrial kangaroos {Dor-
copsis), inhabits the Papuan Islands, as do also the curious tree
kangaroos {Dendrolagus) which, without much apparent modifica-
tion of form, are able to climb trees and feed upon the foliage.
The genera, as established by Mr. Waterhouse, are as follows :
Macropus (4 sp.), West, South, and East Australia, and Tasmania
(Plate XII., vol. i. p. 441) ; Osphranter (5 sp.), all Australia
Halmaturus (18 sp.), all Australia and Tasmania ; Petrogale (7
sp.), all Australia ; Dendrolagus (2 sp.). New Guinea (Plate X.,
vol. i. p. 414) ; Dorcopsis (2 sp.) Aru and Mysol Islands, and
New Guinea ; OnycliogaUa (3 sp.), Central Australia ; Lagor-
chestes (5 sp.). North, West, and South Australia ; Bettongia (6
sp.). West, South, and East, Australia, and Tasmania ; Hypsi-
pn^ymmts (4 sp.). West and East Australia, and Tasmania.
Extinct MacropodidcB.—Many species of the genera Macropus
and Hypsiprymnus have been found in the cave-deposits and
other Post-Tertiary strata of Australia. Among the extinct genera
are Protevinodon and Sthenurus, which are more allied to the
tree -kangaroos of New Guinea than to living Australian species
the gigantic Diprotodon, a kangaroo nearly as large as an elephant
and Nototherium, of smaller size.
Family 81.—PHALANGISTID^. (8 Genera, 27 Species.)
Gexeral Distkibtjtion.
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