UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 301 



remain, adhering as though inanimate, till they arrive at some de- 

 gree of perfection in shape, and obtain their sight, strength and hair, 

 After which they undergo a sort of second birth. From that time, 

 they use the pouch as an asylum from danger. The female carries 

 them about with the utmost affection, and they may frequently be seen 

 sporting in and out of this false belly. 



The Opossum is both carnivorous and frngivorous. It is a great 

 enemy to poultry, of which it is said to suck the blood, leaving the 

 flesh untouched. It climbs trees very expertly ; feeds on wild fruits, 

 and also on various roots. Its tail, which is long and round, has the 

 same prehensile quality as that of some species of Monkeys. It will 

 hang from the branches by it, and, by swinging its body, fling itself 

 among the boughs of the adjacent trees. It is a very sluggish animal ; 

 and makes scarcely any efforts to escape. When it finds itself on the 

 point of being taken, it counterfeits death ; and will endure very se- 

 ven- usage without giving signs of life. 



This animal is very fond of ripe persimmons ; and in the autumn it 

 is frequently detected, at night, feasting upon this palatable fruit. At 

 such times, if the tree be shaken, the Opossum will drop, and suffer 

 itself to be borne off without a struggle. They become excessively 

 fat ; are common in the Philadelphia markets ; and when roasted, or 

 baked in the manner of a sucking pig, are an excellent and whole- 

 some dish. 



The history of the Bearer is so well known, and has been incorpo- 

 rated into such a variety of publications, that it seems not necessary, 

 in this place, to enter into detail on the subject. 



Our enterprising travellers, Lewis and Clark, found this valuable 

 animal during their whole route to the Pacific Ocean. Even amid 

 the Rocky Mountains, they were observed in immense numbers ; and 

 greatlv contributed to the support of the wearied and half famished 

 pilgrims, in those- barren regions, where Nature assumes her wildest 

 and most uninviting form. "The Beaver of this country," says the 

 historian of the journey, "is large and fat: the flesh is very palatable 

 anil at our table was a real luxury."* The tail, when boiled, was es- 

 teemed the most delicate part : was said to resemble in flavour the 

 tongues and sounds of codfish ; and was generally so large as to afford 

 a plentiful meal for two men. 



"The Beaver on the upper parts of the Missouri are in greater 

 quantities, larger and fatter, and their fur is more abundant, and of a 

 darker colour than those below. Their favourite food seems to be 

 the bark of the cotton wood and willow, as no other species of tree 

 appeared to have been touched by these animals, and these trees they 

 gnaw to the ground through a diameter of twenty inches, "f 



The jimction of the Rochejaune or Yellowstone river with the Mis- 

 souri has been recommended as a judicious position for the purposes 

 of trade : the former river and its branches abounding in Beavers and 

 Otters ; and the circumjacent country being the grand pasturage of 

 those innumerable herds of Buffaloe, Elk, Deer and Antelopes which 

 have excited the astonishment of the inquisitive and intelligent voy- 

 agers of the Missouri.}: 



"The Beaver," says Mr. Umfreville, "is of a very docile disposi- 



* History of the Expedition, vol. ii. p. 170. 

 f Idem, vol. i. p. 191. 

 j Id. vol. ii. p. 397. 



Vol. II. Q 



q 



