EPISODES 501 



off howling dismally, with a mouthful of skin torn from 

 its side. And so well did the furious beast defend itself, 

 that apprehensive of its escape, the farmer levelled his 

 rifle at it, and shot it through the heart, on which the curs 

 rushed upon it, and satiated their vengeance on the de- 

 stroyer of their master's flock. 



THE OPOSSUM 



This singular animal is found more or less abundant in 

 most parts of the Southern, Western, and Middle States 

 of the Union. It is the DidelpJiis virginiana of Pennant, 

 Harlan, and other authors who have given some accounts 

 of its habits ; but as none of them, so far as I know, have 

 illustrated its propensity to dissimulate, and as I have had 

 opportunities of observing its manners, I trust that a few 

 particulars of its biography will prove amusing. 



The Opossum is fond of secluding itself during the 

 day, although it by no means confines its predatory rang- 

 ings to the night. Like many other quadrupeds which 

 feed principally on flesh, it is also both frugivorous and 

 herbivorous, and, when very hard pressed by hunger, it 

 seizes various kinds of insects and reptiles. Its gait, 

 while travelling, and at a time when it supposes itself 

 unobserved, is altogether ambling; in other words, it, 

 like a young foal, moves the two legs of one side forward 

 at once. The Newfoundland dog manifests a similar pro- 

 pensity. Having a constitution as hardy as that of the 

 most northern animals, it stands the coldest weather, and 

 does not hibernate, although its covering of fur and hair 

 may be said to be comparatively scanty even during win- 

 ter. The defect, however, seems to be compensated by 

 a skin of considerable thickness, and a general subcuta- 

 neous layer of fat. Its movements are usually rather 



