150 THE OPOSSUM. 



where they pass the day asleep, and sally forth, mostly af- 

 ter nightfall, to seek food. They are occasionally seen 

 out during daylight, especially when they have young ones 

 of considerable size, too large to be carried in the maternal 

 pouch. The female then offers a very singular appear- 

 ance, as she toils along with twelve or sixteen cubs, near- 

 ly of the size of rats, each with a turn of his tail around 

 the root of the mother's, and clinging on her back and sides 

 with paws, hands, and mouth. This circumstance was 

 thought distinctive of another species, hence called dorsi 

 gera ; but is equally true of the common or Virginian 

 Opossum. It is exceedingly curious and interesting to see 

 the young, when the mother is at rest, take refuge in the 

 pouch, whence one or two of them may be seen peeping 

 out, with an air of great comfort and satisfaction. The 

 mother, in this condition, or at any time, in defence of her 

 young, will make battle, biting with much keenness and 

 severity, for which her long canine teeth are well suited. 



" If taken young, the Opossum is generally tarned, and 

 becomes very fond of human society, in a great degree re- 

 linquishes its nocturnal habits, and grows troublesome 

 from its familiarity. One has been thus tamed, which 

 would follow the inmates of the house with great assiduity, 

 and complain with a whining noise when left alone. As 

 it grew older it became mischievous, from its restless curi- 

 osity, and there seemed to be no possibility of devising 

 any contrivance effectually to secure it. The same cir- 

 cumstance is frequently remarked by persons who have 

 attempted to detain them in captivity ; and of the instances 

 which have come to our knowledge, where even a great 

 number were apparently well secured, they have all in a 

 short time enlarged themselves, and been no more heard 

 of. In some such instances these animals have escaped 

 in the city, and for a long time have taken up their quar- 

 ters in cellars, where their presence has never been sus- 

 pected, as during the day they remained concealed. 



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