﻿THE OPOSSUMS. 205 



part of the year with luxuriant grass, between the stems of which 

 the sharp nose of the creature is well suited to make its way. 



V. PHILANDER OPOSSUM. DIDELPHYS PHILANDER. 



Didclphys philander, Linn. Syst. Nat., ed. 10, vol. i., p. 54 

 (1760); Thomas, Cat. Marsup. Brit. Mus., p. 337 (1888). 



Didclphys dicrura, et D. affinis, Wagner, Archiv. fiir. Nat., 

 vol. viii,, p. 358 (1842). 



Characters. — With this species — the Manicou gros eaux of the 

 French in South America — we come to the first of the two 

 representatives of the sub-genus Philander. In addition to 

 their woolly fur, and the presence of a dark stripe down the 

 middle of the face, these two species present the following 

 characteristics in common. Size medium ; fourth hind toe 

 the longest, the third and fifth next in size and about equal, 

 and the second slightly the shortest of the four. Pouch rudi- 

 mentary. 



The Philander Opossum may be characterised as follows: — 

 Size generally smaller, form more slender, and tail relatively 

 longer than in the preceding species ; fur thick, soft, and woolly. 

 General colour dull yellowish or rufous grey ; face pale grey, 

 with a distinct narrow median line, as well as the area round 

 the eyes, brown ; under-parts deep or pale yellow, without any 

 line of demarcation from the colour of the back. Naked por- 

 tion of muzzle slightly projecting backwards above, and with two 

 distinct notches in the lip on each side of the median groove. 

 Ears large and naked, with a well-developed anterior basal pro- 

 longation. Pouch represented only by lateral rudiments. Seven 

 teats. Limbs dull grey, and the short and nearly naked, feet 

 brown; foot-pads large, rounded, and slightly prominent, a 

 minute extra one being generally present near the heel. Tail 

 longer than the head and body, furred for two or three inches at 

 the base, the limits of the fur stopping suddenly and forming a. 



