PHOTOGRAPHING ANIMALS 79 



blew directly from us to him ; yet, for some unknown 

 reason, he entertained no fear of us, even though we 

 talked and moved about without taking the slightest 

 precaution. 



Of all the animals none is easier to photograph 

 than the 'possum. Whether he is very foolish or 

 exceedingly smart, I have never quite made up my 

 mind. His slowness of movement enables us to 

 control his whereabouts so that with little trouble he 

 can be photographed in almost any place or position. 

 Occasionally he acts "cussed mean" and will do no- 

 thing but " play 'possum." Take him by the tail 

 (the only natural way to hold him) and place him 

 on a branch; he will not so much as hold on, but 

 will let himself fall,- even though the distance be 

 great. Nothing you can do will make him show 

 signs of animation until it suits his convenience. But 

 once he is in his right mind he is a perfect model 

 for the animal photographer. Another excellent 

 subject for the camera is the porcupine. The only 

 great objection to him is that he cannot be handled. 

 His movements may be influenced by pushing him 

 with a stick, but that is done only at the loss of 

 some of his quills. One time I had some photo- 

 graphic illustrations to make for a magazine. The 

 story dealt with a porcupine. In making the pic- 

 tures I "used up" seventeen animals; that is to say, 

 in trying to induce them to assume the attitudes I 



