92 RAMBLES ABOUT HOME. 



(" American Naturalist," Vol. YI, p. 555), speaks of their 

 being attacked by turkey - buzzards, and "going into 

 spasms," during which the buzzards pick out their eyes 

 and otherwise wound them. This being the ordinary re- 

 sult of a " make-believe," would even as foolish a creature 

 as the opossum long continue it ? Again, Dr. Lincecum 

 speaks of " kicking over " an opossum, which " immedi- 

 ately went into a spasm." This is a very different matter 

 from feigning unconsciousness. 



As to the position usually assumed when the opossum 

 is supposed to be feigning death, it is that which the ani- 

 mal assumes when sleeping ; and, further, is the one best 

 calculated to prevent injury from blows, as the head and 

 breast are partly protected. 



As this animal is superlatively lazy and positively 

 timid, and by no means intelligent, when compared with 

 the mink or raccoon, I believe this supposed habit of 

 feigning death is attributable to fear and not cunning ; 

 and certainly it is a merciful provision that thus destroys, 

 without pain, all sensation in animals about to be torn to 

 pieces. 



