THE VIRGINIAN OPOSSUM. 



187 



alone by a dog, it will content itself by scrambling up a 

 tree, and sitting quietly on a branch, out of reach, looking 

 down on its canine assailant with contempt as it runs bark- 

 ing furiously below it. The opossum is thus said to be 

 " treed ; " and before long, the barking of the dog brings his 

 master to the spot, when the opossum has to fly for its life 

 to the highest branch it can reach. It is easily captured 



OPOSSUM AND YOUNG. 



by the rudest style of trap, into which it will walk without 

 hesitation. When " feigning 'possum," it will submit to be 

 knocked about, and kicked and cuffed, without giving the 

 slightest sign of life. The flesh of the opossum is white, and 

 considered excellent especially in the autumn, when, after 

 feeding amply on the fruits, beech-nuts, and wild berries, of 

 which it is especially fond, it is veiy fat. 



