VIRGINIAN OPOSSUM. 59 



externally, in which they nourish and keep their young 

 ones. 



Virginian Opossum. In Virginia, and other parts 

 not only of North but of South America, these animals 

 are found. They conceal themselves in thickets and 

 amongst the branches of trees, for the purpose of more 

 readily and securely seizing upon their prey, which 

 consists chiefly of small birds, reptiles, and insects. 

 They, however, also feed on sugar-canes, roots, and 

 even the leaves and bark of trees. They do not run 

 with any degree of swiftness upon the ground ; but in 

 climbing trees they are sufficiently alert, and are enabled 

 to leap from tree to tree, with all the agility of a 

 monkey. They are able also to suspend themselves, for 

 hours together, by their tail, the end of which they coil 

 round the branches. When pursued and overtaken, they 

 feign themselves to be dead. The females are furnished 

 with a pouch in front of their belly, for the protection and 

 preservation of their young ones. When these, which are 

 generally from four to six in number, have attained suffi- 

 cient size and strength to run about, they use this pouch 

 as an asylum from danger ; and may not unfrequently be 

 seen running in and out of it, in the most sportive man- 

 ner. If they happen to be surprised, and have not time 

 to run into the pouch, they nimbly coil their little tails 

 round the tail of their parent, and thus escape, forming 

 a most singular and whimsical group. The Indians eat 

 the flesh of the Opossum. They also spin the hair, and 

 weave it into garters, girdles, and ornamental parts of 

 dress. 



This animal is about as large as a small cat Its hair 

 grows nearly upright, and is generally of a dingy white 



