86 OPOSSUM. 



other animals, by having a sort of pouch into which the 

 young can retire, and where they continue to lodge and 

 suckle in security. 



Ulloa asserts, that he has found five of these little crea- 

 tures hid in the pouch of the dam, three days after she 

 was dead, still alive, and adhering to the teat with great 

 avidity. It is probable, therefore, that on their first enter- 

 ing this receptacle, they seldom stir out ; but afterwards, 

 acquiring more strength, only take refuge there in cases of 

 necessity or danger. 



The opossum is about the size of a cat, but its head and 

 general figure resemble rather the fox. The fore-legs are 

 shorter than the hind ; and the feet are furnished with five 

 toes or fingers, armed with crooked nails. 



When on the ground, the opossum is a slow and help- 

 less animal. The formation of its legs is alone sufficient to 

 prove its incapacity for swiftness ; but to counterbalance 

 this inconvenience, it climbs trees with great facility and 

 expedition. It destroys poultry and birds suck'ng their 

 blood without devouring their flesh : it also hunts after the 

 nests of birds, and will feed on herbs and roots when in 

 want of better fare. 



This creature possesses the facility of suspending itself 

 by the tail, in which situation it will continue for hours, 

 watching an opportunity to seize its prey : when it throws 

 itself down with unerring aim, and speedily devours or 

 kills the surprised victim. It is easily domesticated : but 

 proves an unpleasant inmate ; not only from its stupidity, 

 but from its disagreeable scent. 



The flesh of the old opossum resembles that of a suck- 

 ing pig. The Indian women dye its hair, and weave it 

 into garters and girdles. Though this genus of animals 

 is chiefly found in America, it is by no means solely con- 

 fined to that continent, as Buffon asserts ; for there are in- 

 contestable evidences, that it inhabits the island of Java, 

 the Moluccas, and New Holland. 



