28 ZOOLOGY. 



An uncouth and terrific tribe, mostly abounding in cold, 

 woody, and mountainous districts ; some species, particu- 

 larly the Polar Bear, are found only in the coldest countries, 

 being often seen floating on islands of ice, common to the 

 seas in high northern latitudes ; this last species feeds on 

 seals, fish, the dead carcases of whales, and has been known 

 to attack men ; some of the other species are carnivorous, 

 and a few of them feed on fruits, vegetables and honey. 

 The flesh of the latter kinds is held in considerable esteem 

 as food, and hams cured from them are in great request ; 

 their skins are valuable for dresses and other purposes, 

 and their fat is also in demand in many countries of Europe 

 for anointing the hair. 



7. Didelphis. Oppossum. Upper front teeth ten, minute, 

 rounded, the two middle ones larger ; lower eight, 

 intermediate two broader, very short ; tusks long ; 

 grinders crenate ; tongue fringed with papillce. Many- 

 species of this genus are furnished with an abdominal 

 jyotich, which covers the teats, and in which the young 

 are secreted in times of danger, or to shelter them from 

 cold ; in some species the pouch is common to both 

 sexes. A few of the kinds possess j)rehensile tails. 



This curious genus is mostly confined to the New Con- 

 tinent ; their food is various, some devouring small Qua- 

 drupeds, Birds, Rept'les, Insects and AVorms, others feed- 

 ing entirely on fruits, grain and vegetables ; they are ex- 

 ceedingly nimble, climbing and leaping from tree to 

 tree ; their resorts are mostly confined to woody situations. 

 The collector will do well to endeavour to procure th« 



