MAMMALIA-OPOSSUM. 215 



tance it is capable of moving, retracts the angles of the lips, and shows the 

 whole of her teeth, which thus present a formidable array. She then utters 

 a muttering kind of snarl, but does not snap, until the hand, or other object, 

 be brought very close. If this be a stick, or any hard or insensible body, 

 she seldom closes her mouth on it after the first or second time, but main- 

 tains the same gaping and snarling appearance, even when it is thrust into 

 her mouth. At the same time, the young, if they have attained any size, 



either exhibit their signs of defiance, take refuge in the pouch of the mother, 

 or, clinging to various parts of her body, hide their faces amidst her 

 long hair. 



" The general color of the opossum, is a whitish gray. From the top of 

 the head, along the back, and upper part of the sides, the gray is darkest ; 

 and this color is produced by the intermixture of coarse white hairs, upwards 

 of three inches long, with a shorter, closer, and softer hair, which is white 

 at base, and black for about half an inch at tip. The whole pelage (fur,) is 

 of a woolly softness, and the long white hairs, diverging considerably, allow 

 the back parts to be seen, so as to give the general gray color already men- 

 tioned. On the face the wool is short, and of a smoky white color ; that on 

 the belly is of the same character, but is longer on the fore and hind legs ; 

 the color is nearly black from the body to the digits, which are naked 

 beneath. The tail is thick and black, for upwards of three inches at base, 

 and is covered by small hexagonal scales, having short rigid hairs inter- 

 spersed throughout its length, which are but slightly perceptible at a little 

 distance. The opossum is generally killed for the sake of its flesh and fat. 

 Its wool is of considerable length and fineness, during the winter season, 

 and we should suppose, that in manufactures it would be equal to the 

 sheep's wool which is wrought into coarse hats. 



"The opossum is a nocturnal and timid animal, depending for his safety 

 more on cunning than strength. His motions are slow, and his walk, when 



