116 



758. The Spiny Platypus or Echidna (Echidna Histrix, Cuv.). 

 Hab. New Holland. 



Order II. MARSUPIALIA. 



In the females of these animals, the skin of the abdomen is so disposed as to 

 form a marsupium or pouch around the mammae. In this pouch, the deli- 

 cate young are preserved, and even after they can walk they retire to it 

 for shelter on the apprehension of danger. The pouch is supported by two 

 peculiar bones (marsupial) attached to the pubis. In the males the testes 

 are always situated in advance of the penis. 



Genus DIDELPHIS, Linn. 



759. The Virginian Opossum (Didelphis Virginiana, Shaw). 



Fig. Shaw, Gen. Zool. vol. i. p. 473. Cat. of Mammalia in Brit. Mus. 



p. 101. 

 Hab. Tropical America. 



760. The Virginian Opossum (Didelphis Virginiana, Shaw). 



Fig. Shaw, Gen. Zool. vol. i. p. 473. 



Hab. Berbice. Mus. Langstaff. 



761. The Opossum (Didelphis obesula, Shaw). 



Fig. Shaw, Gen. Zool. vol. i. p. 490. 

 Hab. Tropical America. 



762. The Pigmy Opossum or Pigmy Petaurist (Didelphis pygnuea, 



Shaw). 

 Fig. Shaw, Gen. Zool. vol. i. p. 501. Cat. of Mammalia in Brit. Mus. 



p. 83. 

 Hab. New Holland. 



763. The Merian Opossum (Didelphis dorsigera, Temm.). 



Fig. Cat. of Mammalia in Brit. Mus. p. 101. 

 Hab. Tropical America. 



