Emily Dickinson Lexicon

KAN-GA-ROO', n.

A singular animal found in New Holland, resembling in some respects the opossum. It belongs to the genus Kangurus. It has a small head, neck and shoulders, the body increasing in thickness to the rump. The fore legs are very short, useless in walking, but used for digging or bringing food to the mouth. The hind legs, which are long, are used in moving, particularly in leaping. – Encyc.