120 FAUNA AMERICANA. 



attained the size of a mouse, and are covered with 

 hair ; when they venture out, it is only for a short 

 distance, re-entering at the first signs of danger ; 

 female producing from fourteen to sixteen at a 

 birth ; gestation continues for twenty-six days ; 

 the young remain in the pouch about fifty days 

 after their birth, about which time their eyes 

 open. 



In captivity they are sluggish and by no means 

 ferocious; they capture their prey by cunning 

 and not by chase ; their tail is prehensile, which 

 enables them to suspend themselves on the limbs 

 of trees, and thus fall upon and seize their prey; 

 when discovered they seldom attempt to effect 

 their escape, but on such occasions their cunning 

 in simulating death in order to avoid destruction 

 is proverbial; they are omnivorous and fond of 

 persimmons and apples; the flesh of the female is 

 eaten, and when roasted, is said to resemble a 

 young pig in flavour; the male emits a strong 

 odour ; the urine fetid. 



Inhabit the eastern coast of the American con- 

 tinent, from Paraguay to the Great Lakes ; they 

 abound in the middle states. 



