macropus major

1 definition found

macropus major - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  kangaroo \kan"ga*roo"\, n. [Said to be the native name.] (Zool.)
     Any one of numerous species of jumping marsupials of the
     family Macropodid[ae]. They inhabit Australia, New Guinea,
     and adjacent islands, They have long and strong hind legs and
     a large tail, while the fore legs are comparatively short and
     feeble. The giant kangaroo (Macropus major) is the largest
     species, sometimes becoming twelve or fourteen feet in total
     length. The tree kangaroos, belonging to the genus
     Dendrolagus, live in trees; the rock kangaroos, of the
     genus Petrogale, inhabit rocky situations; and the brush
     kangaroos, of the genus Halmaturus, inhabit wooded
     districts. See Wallaby.
     [1913 Webster]
  
     Kangaroo apple (Bot.), the edible fruit of the Tasmanian
        plant Solanum aviculare.
  
     Kangaroo grass (Bot.), a perennial Australian forage grass
        (Anthistiria australis).
  
     Kangaroo hare (Zool.), the jerboa kangaroo. See under
        Jerboa.
  
     Kangaroo mouse. (Zool.) See Jumping mouse, under
        Jumping.
        [1913 Webster]