MOLUCCA OPOSSUM. 477 



habit than the Virginian Opossum, with the snout 

 longer and the mouth wider in proportion. The 

 Count de Buffon, however, considered it as the 

 same species, and accuses Seba of negligence or 

 ignorance in representing it as a native of the 

 East Indies; contending that all the animals of 

 this genus are natives of the New World. Sub- 

 sequent discoveries, however, have amply justified 

 Seba's account of its residence , specimens having 

 been frequently imported from the Indian islands, 

 &c. Its colour is a moderately deep brown, 

 paler beneath; the ears moderately large, and 

 somewhat longer in proportion than in the Vir- 

 ginian Opossum, or not of so rounded a form : 

 the tail nearly similar to that of the Virginian : but 

 the superior size, and thinner form both of body 

 and limbs, together with its much darker colour, 

 sufficiently distinguish it, even at first sight, from 

 the former species. It is found in great plenty 

 in Aroe and Solor, and is known in some parts of 

 the East Indies by the name of Pelander Aroe, or 

 the Aroe Rabbet. It also occurs in the hotter 

 parts of South America, and particularly at Suri- 

 nam. It is reckoned a delicate food, and is said 

 to be often seen at the tables of the great in In- 

 dia, where it is reared with Rabbets. 



VAR. 



Philander maximus orientalis. Seba i. p. 64. t. 39. 



A supposed variety of the above, but, perhaps, 

 a distinct species, is described and figured by 



