OPOSSUM HUNTING. 2o/ 



evident inferiority of the other parts of the animal's 

 construction. 



Tlic opossum makes a burrow in the ground, gene- 

 rally found near habitations. In tlie day time it sleeps, 

 and prowls at night. The moon in its brilliancy seems 

 to dazzle it, for under the bright rays of the queen of 

 night it is often knocked on the head by the negro hunt- 

 er, without apparently perceiving it has an enemy near. 

 The habits of the opossum generally resemble those 

 of the " coon " and fox, though they are, as might be 

 supposed from our imperfect description, infinitely less 

 intelligent in defending themselves against the attack 

 of an enemy. Knock an opossum on the head or any 

 part of the body, with a weapon of any kind, small or 

 great, and if he makes any resistance at all, he will en- 

 deavor to bite the weapon, instead of the agent using 

 it. The opossum is, in fact, a harmless little creature, 

 and seems to belong to some peace society, the members 

 of which have agreed to act toward the world as the 

 boy promised to do with the bull-dog, " If you will let 

 me alone, I won't trouble you." 



Put the animal in a critical situation, and he will 

 resort to stratagem instead of force to elude his pur- 

 suers ; for if he finds esca})e impossible, he will feign 

 himself dead in advance of giving you an opportunity to 

 carry out your destructive intentions toward him ; or 

 when you think you have destroyed him, he will watch 



