NATURAL HISTORY. 331 



male have no claws on the great toe of the hind feet, 

 which are separated from the others, as the thumb in 

 the hand of a man, whilst the other toes are arraetl 

 with crooked claws, as in the feet of other quadrupeds. 



The opossum is only found in the south parts of 

 tl>e New World ; but it does not constantly dwell 

 in the hottest climates. It is found not only in Bra- 

 zil, Guiana, and Mexico, but also in Florida, Virginia, 

 and other temperate regions of this continent. It pro- 

 duces often, and a great number of young each Ume. 

 Most authors say, four or five young ; .others, six or 

 seven. Marcgrave affirms, that he has seen six young 

 living in the bag of the female ; they were about two 

 inches long, they were already very nimble, they went 

 in and out of the bag many times in a day ; they are 

 still small when they are just brought forth. Some 

 travellers say, that they are not larger than flies when 

 they go out ef the womb into the bag, and stick to the 

 paps. This fact is not so much exaggerated as some 

 may imagine, for we have seen in animals, whose spe- 

 ck's is like that of the opossum, young ones sticking 

 to the paps no larger than a bean. Hence we may 

 presume, that in -these animals the womb is only the 

 place of conception, of the formation, and of the first 

 unfolding of the foetus, which increases in the bag. 



Tiie young opos.su?ns atick to the paps of the dam 

 till they have acquired strength enougli to move easi- 

 ly. This is a well authenticated fact, nor is it pecu- 

 liar to tliis species only. Some authors pretend, that 

 tiiey stick to the paps for several weeks ; others say, 

 that they remain in the bag only the first month after 

 they proceed from the womb. One may easily open 

 this bag, observe, count, and even feel the young 

 without disturbing them. T-iey will not Icare ihv 



