J)8 THE OPOSSUMS. 



tail (about) 17 inches,* of which 7^ inches is covered 

 with fur ; ears, 1 inch 2 lines : from nose to ear, 2 

 inches 6 lines ; tarsus, 1 inch 9 lines. 



Hahitat ? 



This heautiful species is in the Museum of the 

 Earl of Derby, after whom I have taken the liberty 

 of naming it. It is more stout in its proportions than 

 D. opossum and its allies, and is remarkable for its 

 bright and rich rust-like colouring, the grey stripe 

 on the back, and the great extent of the hairy portion 

 of the tail. It is equal in size to the D. quica and 

 consequently larger than D. opossum. 



WOOLLY OPOSSUM. 

 Didelphw lanigera. 



Didelphys lanigera, Desm. Mamm. p. 258. spe. 395. 

 Microure second, ou Microure laineux, Azara, Essais sur 



Thist. Nat. des Quadr. de la Province du Paraguay, torn. 1, 



p. 275. 



Description. Tail longer than the head and body 

 taken together, very thick and triangular at the base, 

 ear large ; fur soft and woolly ; occiput, anterior por 

 tion of fore- legs, outer side of hinder-legs and tarsi 

 of the colour of Spanish tobacco ; back of the same 

 colour, but of a deeper hue, remaining portion of 

 body bright brown; white predominates on the under 



* It is twisted round a branch in the stuffed specimen, and 

 cannot be measured with great accuracy. 



