OPOSSUM HUNTING. 



An opossum was made to represent the class of natural 

 lusus nalurce, for they are certainly the most singular, 

 inexplicable little animals that live. In their creation, 

 Dame Nature seems to have shown a willingness, if ne- 

 cessary, to be ridiculous, just for the sake of introducing 

 a new fashion. We will not, however, go into particu- 

 lars, for we might infringe upon the details of '' breed- 

 ing," and thereby " o'erstep the modesty of nature." 



One of the peculiarities of the opossum that attracts 

 to it general attention, is the singular pouch they have 

 under the belly, in which their young are carried before 

 their complete development, and also into which they 

 retreat when alarmed by the approach of danger. 



This particular organ contains in its interior, ten or 

 twelve teats, to which the young, after what seems a 

 premature birth, are attached, and where they hang for 

 about fifty days, then drop off, and commence a more 

 active state of existence. 



