RING-TAILED OPOSSUM. 371 



this species, about 2,000 to 6,000 skins being imported 

 annually. The colour is of a rich blue, with darker hair 

 on back, like a dark Chinchilla. 



The fur is short, fine, and soft ; the belly is pure 

 white. The ears are very short and white. The value 

 of a skin is from 2d. to 6d. according to demand : 

 especially suitable for boas, children's mufi's, and other 

 small articles. 



There is a black variety of the same animal which is 

 very beautiful, and called Plialaugista herhertensis by 

 some collectors ; in fact, the colour of Cook's Opossum 

 varies very much, quite light, whitish-looking specimens 

 are met with ; yellowish, steel, dark grey, like Victorian 

 grey, are also not uncommon. 



The Sydney Eing-tailed Opossum is light broAvn in 

 colour, not nearly so pretty, and its skin is not so much 

 appreciated. It is sometimes called Phalangista archcri. 

 The tail of all varieties of Cook's Opossum is broader at 

 the base, and white at the tip. 



SQUIEEEL-LIKE PHALANGER. 



BcUdcns Scirreus. 



This very small animal has soft fur. It is short- 

 headed, and has dark lines at the neck. It is 

 nocturnal. 



B B 2 



