OPOSSUM M.OVS'E.—Jcro^afes Pygmmis. 



The Pouched Animals are remarkable for a little pouch or pocket upon the 

 abdomen ; it is used for carrying the young until they are old enough to shift for 

 themselves. Nearly all the pouched animals inhabit Australia. Among the 

 prettiest and most common is the beautiful little animal which is called the 

 Opossum Mouse in some parts of the country, and the Plying Mouse in others. 



This pretty little creature is about the size of our common mouse, and when it 

 is resting upon a branch, Avith its parachute, or umbrella of skin, cbawn close to 

 the body by its OAvn elasticity, it looks very like the common mouse of Europe, 

 and at a little distance might easily be taken for that animal. In total length it 

 rather exceeds six inches. The parachute-like expansion of the skin is of very 

 great service to the animal when it wishes to pass from one branch, or from one 

 tree, to another, without the trouble of descending and the laborious climbing up 

 again. Trusting to the powers of its parachute, the little creature Avill boldly 

 launch itself into the air, stretching out all its limbs, and ex])anding the skin to 

 the utmost. Upborne by this membrane, the Opossum Mouse can sweep through 

 very great intervals of space, and possesses no small power of altering its com-sc 

 at will. 



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