150 



MERIAN'S OPOSSUM. 



given was sketched from a stuffed specimen in the British Museum, 

 where the peculiar attitude of mother and young is wonderfully pre- 

 served, when the very minute dimensions of the young Opossums are 

 taken into consideration. 



Many other species of Opossums are in the habit of carrying their 

 young upon their backs, even though they may be furnished with a 

 well-developed pouch ; but in the pouchless Opossums the young are 



Merian's Opossum (Philander dordgerus). 



placed on the back at a very early age, and are retained there for a 

 considerable period. 



It is a very small animal, measuring when adult only six inches from 

 the nose to the root of the tail, the tail itself being more than seven 

 inches in length, thus exceeding the united measurement of the head 

 and body. Its general appearance is much like that of a very large 

 mouse or a very small rat. 



The fur of the Merian's Opossum is very short, and lies closely upon 

 the skin. On the upper portions of the body its color is a pale gray- 

 ish brown, fading below into a yellowish white. Round the eyes is a 

 deep-brown mark, which extends forward in front of each eye, and 

 forms a small dark patch. The forehead, the upper part of the head, 

 and the cheeks, together with the limbs and feet, are of a yellow^ish 

 white, tending to gray. 



Toward the base the tail is clothed with hair of the same texture 



