120 Q^U ADRUPEDS. 



fo clofe, that in the living animal the opening can fcarce be difccrned. 

 This bag contains glands that exude a mufky fubftance, which commu- 

 nicates to the flcfh of the animal, and renders it unfit to be eaten. The 

 young, v/hen firil produced, are in a manner but half completed (and 

 fome afferr, not much larger than flies) ; on quitting- the womb, they 

 creep into the recepracle, where they continue fixed to the teat till they 

 have acquired ftrength fufHcient. On their firft entrance, they feldom 

 (lir our ; when more advanced, they venture forth. often in the day ] at 

 lad, feldom ufe their retreat, except in neceffity. 



The Oppofium, on the ground, is flow and helplefs ; but climbs trees 

 with great expedition ; chiefly fubfifcs on birds ; hides among the leaves 

 of the trees to feize them by furprife ; often hangs by the tail, which is 

 long and prehenfile, for hours, head downwards, watching for prey. 

 If any animal pafs underneath, it drops upon and quickly devours it. 

 By means of its tail, fwings from one tree to another, hunts infe6ts, and 

 efcapes purfuers. Seems tp live on vegetable as well as animal fub- 

 ftances, fugar-canes, the bark, and even the leaves of trees. Is eafily 

 tamicd, but is a difagreeable domeftic. 



The Marmofe, found in South-America, feems only to dift^jr in 

 fize, 'being Icfs ; and, inftcad of a bag to receive its young, has only 

 , two longitudinal folds near the thighs. The young, when tirit produced, 

 are not above the fize of a bean ; but continue (licking to the -teat, un- 

 til they have arrived at greater maturity. 



The Cayopolin is fomewhat larger, its fnout more pointed, its tail 

 longer, and its colour different, being afh, inclining to yellow. 



The Phalanger, or Surinam R.at, refembles the former, but dilfcrs 

 by the thumb and fore-finger of its hinder-hands being joined together, 

 except at the extremities ; is about the fize of a rat, • 



The Tarher relembles the former, in having four hands and a long 

 tail ; differs in the extreme length of its hinder-legs, which are longer 

 than its whole body. The bones of that part of the foot called the tar- 

 fus, are likewife very long j from whence the animal has received its 

 name : the tail is naked in the midcile, and hairy at both extremities ; 

 iu hair woolly, foft, and a deep alh colour. 



O F 



