XATl/RAL HISTORY. 



js eaten like that of a pig, for which reason a perps- 

 tual war Is earned on against these animals. Hunts- 

 men find it very difficult to take them alive; and when 

 they are surprised in thtir burrows which have two 

 openings, they defend themselves with great obstinacy 

 and bite vvith excessive fury. Their skin, though co- 

 vered with short and rough hair, Is valuable, because 

 it is spotted on the sides : these animals bring forth 

 young in abundance. Men and animals of prey de- 

 stroy a great quantity o'f them, and yet the species is 

 still numerous. They are peculiar to South America, 

 and are not to be met with in the Old Continent. 



THE OPOSSUM. 



THE opossum is an animal of America, which is 

 easily distinguished from all others by two singular 

 characters : the first is, that the female has under the 

 belly a large cavity, where she receives, and suckles 

 k$r young : the secend is, that the male and the fe- 



