176 Mr. Harris's Description of two new Species of Didelphis. 



DlDELPHIS URSINA. 



D. nigra maculis raris albis, auriculis calvis, cauda subprehen- 

 sili subtus nuda. 



Tab. XIX. Fig. 2. 



This new species of Opossum is likewise an inhabitant of Van 

 Diemen's Land, where it burrows in the ground, and preys on the 

 smaller quadrupeds, &c. 



Length from the tip of the nose to the end of the tail 2 feet 

 2 inches, of which the tail is 8 inches, and the head 6'. Height 

 from the fore heel to the top of the shoulder 94 inches. From 

 the hind heel to the rump 7 inches -rVths. Head flat, and some- 

 what triangularly shaped. Distance from the nose to the eyes 

 24- inches; between the eyes 2^- inches. Ears rounded, naked. Eyes 

 small, dark brown. Mouth large: 8 small cutting teeth; 2 strong 

 canine ones three quarters of an inch long, and 8 grinders in the 

 upper jaw ; 6 cutting teeth, 2 canine, and 10 grinders in the 

 lower jaw. Bristles over the eyes 6; on each side the nose 13 

 long, and several short ones ; on each cheek 17 pointing back- 

 wards, and two tufts of 15 each under the chin pointing down- 

 wards. Fore feet 5-toed ; inner toe shortest, claws sharp. Hind 

 feet 4-toed, claws sharp, with tufts of hair extending half an inch 

 beyond them. Heel long and callous. Tail slightly prehensile, 

 its under part bare. 



The whole head, body, legs, and upper part of the tail are 

 covered with long coarse black hair, irregularly marked with 

 one or two blotches of white ; in some specimens on the 

 shoulders, in Others on the throat or rump. 



The male is larger than the female, and has the scrotum pen- 

 dulous, and the penis projecting behind. The female is furnish- 

 ed with the abdominal pouch, and brings forth four or five young 



ones 



