MAMMALIA. 385 



Fig. C02.— Ka^'gakoo. 



first saw Harlequin escape from his pursuers by jumping 

 through a picture. 



Passing by the family {Phalangistidce) which includes the 

 " Flying Squirrel," we come to that of the Opossums (Didel- 

 phidce). The Opossums are peculiar to America, and are 

 found diffused from the southern border of Canada to Chili and 

 Paraguay. "The largest known species scarcely equal in size 

 the Common Cat, and by far the greater number, approaching 

 more nearly to that of the Common Hat." " Their food con- 

 sists chiefly of insects ; but small reptiles, as well as birds and 

 their eggs, are attacked by the larger species." The feet are 

 shaped like hands, and the hinder feet are furnished with op- 

 posable thumbs.* 



Some of the Opossums have no pouch,t or at least this 

 receptacle for the young is found only in a very rudimentary 

 condition in certain species, and the young, which at first re- 

 main firmly attached to the nipples, are subsequently carried 

 upon the back of the parent. Such is the case in the species 

 represented in the annexed figure. (Fig. 303). It might puzzle 

 us to imagine by what means the young could retain their 

 places, while the mother was rapidly changing her position 



* ^Yaterhouse's Mammalia. 

 From this circumstance they are included by ^fr. Ogilby in the same 

 order as the ilonkeys, and regarded as belonging to that division to which he 

 has given the name Pedimana. 



