368 MARSUPIALIA. 



blue, of a much darker and richer shade than other 

 Opossums ; the under fur is deep bhie, the belly white, 

 the ears dark, the tail thick and bushy ; the fur on back 

 is often blacker. A black variety, the Black Victorian, 

 is sometimes met with. The value of a good blue skin 

 is about 2s. 6d. 



Its skin is scarcer than that of any other Opossum, and 

 is much esteemed by the English and Canadian trade. 



Sydney Opossum. — The Sydney Opossum is less in 

 size than either of the foregoing, but exceeds that of 

 the Melbourne and Adelaide types. The tail sometimes 

 measures 12 inches ; the usual length is about 8. The 

 colour is usually of a bluish-grey, the tail generally 

 tipped with black ; but occasionally a white tip is found 

 to this appendage, and sometimes a white spot is found 

 in the fur of the body. 



The fur is from 1^ to 2 inches in length, blue in under 

 fur but occasionally red, and redder principally at the 

 necks, sometimes almost white when in full-seasoned 

 skins ; the upper fur is mingled with larger and coarser 

 dark hair. Some skins are nearly red in colour, except 

 the hind-quarters. The whiskers are rather long and 

 black, the ears are grey with a white spot on them, the 

 nose and fur on face is very soft and delicate. 



Many of these animals are shot, more so than in 

 Tasmania, Melbourne, and Adelaide ; the best time for this 

 sport is on a fine moonlight night, when it is clear 

 enough to see them on the branches of trees. The fur of 

 many is spoilt just above the tail by friction with the 

 bark of trees when sitting on their haunches ; or when 

 taking hold of the branches with their tails, which are 

 bare on one side near the toj). 



The Sydney Opossum appears to interbreed with 



