MERIAN'S OVOSSVM.—JPMlander Borsigerus. 



In Merian's Opossum there is no true pouch, and the place of that cimous 

 structure is only indicated by a fold of skin, so that dm-ing the infancy of its 

 young, the mother is obliged to have recourse to that singular custom which has 

 gained for it the title of " dorsigerus," or back-bearing. At a very early age, 

 the young Opossums are shifted to the back of their mother, where they cling 

 tightly to their mother's fm* with their little hand-like feet, and further seciu'e 

 themselves by twining their own tails round that of the parent. 



The little group which is here given, was sketched from a stuffed specimen in 

 the British Musemn, where the peculiar attitude of mother and young is wonder- 

 fully preserv'cd, when the very minute dimensions of the young Opossums are 

 taken into consideration. 



It is a very small animal, measuring six inches from the nose to the root of the 

 tail, the tail itself being more than seven inches in length, thus exceeding the 

 united measm-ement of the head and body. Its general appearance is much like 

 that of a very large mous«, or a very small rat. 



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