106 THE OPOSSUMS. 



the eyes, which is most extended in front of the eye ; 

 the whole of the under parts are yellowish white, and 

 the cheeks are of the same tint ; the fur which covers 

 the hase of the tail is coloured like that of the back ; 

 the ears are yellowish. 



Length from nose to root of tail, 5 inches ; tail, 5 

 inches 9 lines ; hairy portion of tail about half an 

 inch ; from nose to eye, 6| lines ; tarsus, (claws in- 

 cluded) 9 J lines. 



Observations. — The Murine Opossum inhabits the 

 northern parts of South America, and is very common 

 in Guyana. It burrows in the ground and climbs 

 trees, to the boughs of which it suspends itself by 

 the tail ; feeds upon small birds and insects, and is 

 said also to eat fruits. The female has no pouch. 



ELEGANT OPOSSUM. 



Didelphys elegans. 



Didelpliys elegans, WaterTi. Zoology of the Voyage of H.M.S. 

 Baggie, No. IV. p. 12, Mammalia p. 95, PI. 31. 



'Description. — Length from nose to root of tail, 4 

 inches 6 lines ; of tail, 4 inches 4 lines ; of tarsus, 

 (claws included) 7i lines ; from nose to ear, 1 inch 

 ]J lines; of ear, 1\ lines. Muzzle slender and 

 pointed ; tail rather shorter than the head and body 

 taken together; fur long and very soft; general 

 tint of the upper parts of head and body ashy grey 

 washed with brown ; on the sides of the body, 

 especially near the shoulders, a yellowish tint is 



