The Opossums 



of economy in the matter; for the quantity of bread, yams and 

 apples consumed by the greedy little beast in laying up a fevs 

 additional ounces of fat is a thing to be marvelled at. 



Varieties of the Opossum 



The opossums of North America show but little variation, 

 but naturalists have recognized three varieties as follows, the last 

 being allied to the opossum of Mexico. 



/. Virginia Opossum. Didelphis virginiana Kerr. Range and 

 description as above. 



2. Florida Opossum. Didelphis virgmiana pigra Bangs. Similar 



but smaller with longer and more slender tail. 

 Range. Florida and lowland of Georgia along the Gulf Coast 

 to Texas. 



^. Texas Opossum. Didelphis marsupialis texensis Allen. Similar 

 but tail longer than in either of the above, equal to nine- 

 tenths instead of three-fifths the length of head and body 

 and black at base for one-third of its length. 

 Range. Texas. 



