﻿214 Allen's naturalist's library. 



xiv. chilian opossum. didelphys elegans. 



Didelphys e/ega?is, Waterhouse, Voy. H.M.S. " Beagle,'* 

 Mamm., p. 95 (1839); Thomas, Cat. Marsup. Brit. Mus., 

 p. 353 (1888). 



Micoureus elegans, Lesson, Nouv. Tabl. Regne Animal, Mamm., 

 p. 186 (1842). 



Characters — Size nearly the same as in the Grey Opossum, 

 or rather smaller ; fur long, soft, and silky. General colour 

 soft pale grey, finely grizzled with reddish-brown ; middle of 

 face pale grey, with the eye-markings forming a distinct ring 

 round each eye, and extending only a short distance forwards 

 on the sides of the muzzle ; under-parts, at least in the middle 

 line, pure white, with the line of demarcation not very well 

 defined ; legs white internally ; feet pale brown. Muzzle long 

 and pointed, with only a single inferior notch in t-he naked 

 portion on each side of the median groove. Ears very large, 

 narrow, and oval, with the anterior basal projection almost or 

 quite absent. Front and hind feet with six tall and prominent 

 pads, between which the sole is granulated. Tail with the 

 basal half-inch thin, the next two inches much thickened, and 

 the terminal half rapidly tapering to a point ; in colour grey, with 

 minute white hairs scattered over it. Length of head and body 

 about 3^ inches ; of tail 4^ inches. 



Distribution. — South Brazil and Chili. 



Habits. — This Opossum, which was first brought to the notice 

 of scientists by Darwin, who obtained it at Valparaiso during the 

 voyage of H.M.S. "Beagle," may be easily recognised by the 

 peculiar thickening of the tail at a short distance below the root. 

 It appears to be very abundant in Chili, where it extends as far 

 north as Cobija. According to Darwin, it is found in the 

 thickets clothing the rocky hills near Valparaiso. There, he 

 writes, these little creatures "are exceedingly numerous, and 



