LETTER XXXVII. 



is covered with a fur exquisitely fine, soft, and glossy; 

 nnd another kind is found in Virginia, of a black co- 

 lour, variegated with purple. 



THE OPOSSUM 



is an animal of which nature has formed several va- 

 rieties; but all of them distinguished from every 

 other quadruped, except the kangaroo, by having a. 

 pouch under th'e belly, in which the female deposits 

 her young immediately after they are brought forth, 

 and nourishes them until they be able to provide for 

 themselves. 



This animal is nearly as large as a cat; but its ge- 

 neral figure resembles that of a fox. Its legs are 

 short, and its feet, or rather hands, are not unlike 

 those of a monkey. The construction of legs and 

 hands indicates its incapability of speed; but this dis- 

 advantage is counterbalanced by the facility and ex- 

 pedition with which it climbs trees, where it conceals 

 itself in the branches, and surprises the birds that 

 come within its reach. 



The opossum is remarkable for possessing the fa- 

 culty of suspending itself by the tail, and continuing 

 for hours in that situation, from whirh it darts on its 

 prey with surprising agility and unerring aim. By 

 means of its tail, it can also fling itself from one tree 

 to another. It is easily domesticated, but is not a 

 very agreeable inmate, on account of a rank and dis- 

 gusting odour that exhales from its skin. Its flesh is 

 eaten by the Indians, and in taste is said to resemble 

 that of a young pig. The Indians also dye its hair, 

 and weave it into garters, and various other articles. 

 This animal was, by M. de Baffon, supposed to be- 

 long peculiarly to America; but it, is now found to 

 exist in several of the Oriental and South Sea islands* 



THE FLYING OPOSSUM 



cannot be overlooked among the uncommon varieties 

 of this singular animal. Its ears are large and erect, 

 and it is furnished with a membranous appendage 

 connecting the legs, similar to that of the flying squir- 

 rel, and of which it makes use in the same manner to 

 fly from tree to tree. - Can we refrain to admire the 



