The _kangaroo_ (Fig. 362), like the opossum, gives birth to imperfectly developed young. (Kinship with what classes is thus indicated?) After birth, the young (about three fourths of an inch long) are carried in a ventral pouch and suckled for seven or eight months. They begin to reach down and nibble grass before leaving the pouch. Compare fore legs with hind legs, front half of body with last half. Describe tail. What is it used for when kangaroo is at rest? In jumping, would it be useful for propelling and also for balancing the body? Describe hind and fore feet. _Order_ ____. _Why?_ ____. See key, page 193. [Illustration: FIG. 362.--GIANT KANGAROO.] =Imperfectly Toothed Mammals.=--These animals live chiefly in South America (sloth, armadillo, giant ant-eater) and Africa (pangolin). The sloth (Fig. 363) eats leaves. Its movements are remarkably slow, and a vegetable growth resembling moss often gives its hair a green color. (What advantage?) How many toes has it? How are its nails suited to its manner of living? Does it save exertion by hanging from the branches of trees instead of walking upon them? [Illustration: FIG. 363.--SLOTH of South America.] [Illustration: FIG. 364.--GIANT ANT-EATER of South America. (See Fig. 354.) Find evidences that the edentates are a degenerate order. Describe another ant-eater (Fig. 360).] Judging from the figures (363, 364, 365), are the members of this order better suited for attack, active resistance, passive resistance, or concealment when contending with other animals? The ant-eater’s claws (Fig. 364) on the fore feet seem to be a hindrance in walking; for what are they useful? Why are its jaws so slender? What is probably the use of the enormous bushy tail? The nine-banded armadillo (Fig. 365) lives in Mexico and Texas. It is omnivorous. To escape its enemies, it burrows into the ground with surprising rapidity. If unable to escape when pursued, its hard, stout tail and head are turned under to protect the lower side of the body where there are no scales. The three-banded species (Fig. 366) lives in Argentina. Compare the ears and tail of the two species; give reasons for differences. Why are the eyes so small? The claws so large? _Order_ ____. _Why?_ ____. [Illustration: FIG. 365.--NINE-BANDED ARMADILLO of Texas and Mexico. (_Dasypus novemcinctus._) It is increasing in numbers; it is very useful, as it digs up and destroys insects. (See Fig. 349.)] [Illustration: FIG. 366.--THREE-BANDED ARMADILLO (_Tolypeutes tricinctus_).]