THE OPOSSUM. 71 



in some measure, the high wrought accounts of ancient 

 Arcadian scenes, on which the sensible mind cannot dwell 

 without some degree of enthusiastic pleasure. 



Besides its hardiness in enduring great severities of 

 weather, the natural instinct of the Sheep, in foreseeing 

 the approach of a storm, is no less remarkable : in their 

 endeavours to secure themselves under the shelter of some 

 hill, whole flocks have frequently been buried for many 

 days under a covering of snow, and have afterwards been 

 taken out without any material injury. Thus beautifully 

 described by Thompson. 



" Oft the whirlwind's wing, 



Sweeps up the burthen of whole wintry plains, 

 At one wide waft; and o'er the hapless flocks, 

 Hid in the hollow of two neighbouring hills, 

 The billowy tempest whelms." 



It does not appear that the culture of sheep was much 

 attended to among our ancestors, the Britons; but by 

 persevering efforts, during a long succession of ages, the 

 breed is now brought to the highest perfection in this 

 island ; and, except in the fineness of their fleeces, in which 

 we are excelled by the Spanish sheep, in consequence of 

 their milder climate and more suitable pasturage, no 

 country is more famous for this valuable race of animals 

 than our own. We have, indeed, several varieties, one 

 distinguished by its size, another by the fineness of its 

 wool, and a third for the delicacy of its flesh. Not only 

 the grand divisions of the island, but almost every country 

 has a peculiar variety ; the judicious intermixture of which 

 is at once beneficial to the breeder and the public. 



THE OPOSSUM 



Is a slow, helpless animal, when on the ground ; but climbs 

 trees with great ease and quickness ; sometimes conceals 

 itself among the branches, and surprises the birds that 

 come within its reach. By means of its tail it flings itself 

 from one tree to another. It feeds on birds, reptiles, 

 insects, roots, leaves, and bark of trees. 



