THE VULPINE PHALANGIST. 139 



ably, although so slow an aDimal, capture them in the same manner as 

 has been related of the lemurs — viz., by creeping slowly and cautiously 

 upon them as they sleep, and swiftly seizing them before they can 

 awaken to a sense of their danger. It is a tolerably large animal, 

 equalling a large cat in dimensions, and is, therefore, able to make dire 

 havoc among such prey whenever it chooses to issue forth with the in- 

 tention of making a meal upon some small bird that may chance to be 

 sleeping in fancied security. 



The fore-paws of the Vulpine Phalangist are well adapted for such 

 proceedings, as they are possessed of great strength and mobility, so 

 that the animal is able to take up any small object in its paws, and to 

 hold it after the manner of the common squirrel. When feeding, it 

 generally takes its food in its fore-paws, and so conveys it to its mouth. 

 In captivity it does not seem to be a very intelligent animal, even when 

 night brings forth its time of energy, and it but little responds to the 

 advances of its owner, however kind he may be. It will feed on bread 

 and milk, or fruits, or leaves, or buds, or any substance of a similar 

 nature, but always seems best pleased when it is supplied w^ith some 

 small birds or animals, and devours them with evident glee. 



The flesh of the Vulpine Phalangist is considered to be very good, 

 and the natives are so fond of it that, notwithstanding the laziness that 

 is ingrained in their very beings, except when they are under the influ- 

 ence of some potent excitement, they can seldom refrain from chasing 

 an " opossum," even though they have been well fed by the white set- 

 tlers. When the fresh body of a Vulpine Phalangist is opened, a kind 

 of camphorated odor is diffused from it, which is probably occasioned 

 by the foliage of the camphor-perfumed trees in which it dwells, and 

 the leaves of which it eats. 



The fur of this animal is not valued so highly as that of the Tapoa, 

 probably because it is of more common occurrence, for the color of the 

 hair is much more elegant, and its quality seems to be really excellent. 

 Some few experiments have been made upon the capabilities of this fur, 

 and, as far as has yet been accomplished, with very great success. Good 

 judges have declared that articles which had been made from this fur 

 presented a great resemblance to those which had been made from An- 

 gola wool, but appeared to be of superior quality. The hat-makers 

 have already discovered the value of the fur, and are in the habit of 

 employing it in their trade. 



The natives employ the skin of the " opossum " in the manufacture 

 of their scanty mantles, as well as for sundry other purposes, and pre- 

 pare the skins in a rather ingenious manner. As soon as the skin is 

 stripped from the animal's body, it is laid on the ground, with the 

 hairy side downward, and secured from shrinking by a number of lit- 

 tle pegs which are fixed around its edges. The inner side is then con- 



