ia 
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. 
Didelphys philander, Linn. Syst. Nat., ed. 10, vol. 1, p. 54 
(1760) ; Thomas, Cat. Marsup. Brit. Mus., p. 337 (1888). 
Didelphys dicrura, et D. affinis, Wagner, Archiv. fur. Nat., 
vol. viii., p. 358 (1842). 
Characters.—With this species—the AZanicou gros eaux of the 
French in South America—we come to the first of the two 
representatives of the sub-genus L/%z/ander. 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 gencrally 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 
