﻿212 ALLEN S NATURALIST'S LIBRARY. 



somewhat paler than in the last species ; the uniform rufous of 

 the back gradually becoming paler on the flanks, till it passes 

 into whitish-rufous or white on the under surface ; black eye- 

 mark very distinct, and extending forwards on the sides of the 

 muzzle nearly to the nose ; inner sides of limbs like under-parts ; 

 feet white or pale brown, nearly naked. Ears large, with the 

 anterior basal projection, short, rounded, and frequently almost 

 wanting. Thirteen or fifteen teats. Fifth hind toe very 

 slightly shorter than the second ; foot-pads, low, rounded, and 

 but slightly prominent. Tail long, slender, tapering, with its 

 base scarcely furred, in colour uniform pale-grey, becoming 

 lighter inferiorly. Length of head and body in male about 

 3 1^ inches ; of tail 4 inches ; females slightly larger. 



Distribution. — Brazil, from Santarem to Rio Grande do Sul. 



Nothing specially noteworthy appears to have been recorded 

 as to the habits of this beautiful little creature. 



Xn. GREY OPOSSUM. DIDELPHYS GRISEA. 



O 



Didelphys grisea, Desmarest, Diet. Sci. Nat., vol. xlvii., p. 39 

 (1827); Thomas, Cat. Marsup. Brit. Mus., p. 349 

 (1888). 



Didelphys incana, Lund, Blik. Brasil. Dyr., Dansk. Afhand., 

 vol. viii., p. 237 (1841). 



Micoureus ^riseus, Gervais, Hist. Nat. Mamm., vol. ii., p. 287 



(1855)- 



Characters. — Size nearly as in the Murine Opossum ; fur close^ 

 soft, and somewhat fluffy. General colour uniform deep grey, 

 with scarcely a tinge of rufous ; face somewhat paler, with the 

 dark eye-mark inconspicuous and confined to the front of the 

 eyes ; under-parts pure white, sharply defined from the grey of 

 the back, the line of demarcation being often indicated by a 

 tinge of fulvous or rufous ; back of fore limbs white, sometimes 



