74 OPOSSUMS.- PHALANGEKS. 



6. The FIRST TRIBE of Marsupials is composed of animals that 

 are essentially insectivorous ; some of them belong to New Hol- 

 land ; but the greatest number inhabit America. The last consti- 

 tute the genus Opossum, Sarigiie. 



7. The OPOSSUMS have the hind thumb perfectly opposable to 

 the other fingers, which arrangement has obtained for them the 

 name of Pad'n^ana. They have ten incisors above, eight below, 

 and fourteen molars in each jaw, which, with four canines, make 

 fifty teeth, a greater number than is possessed by any other 

 mammiferous quadruped. They are nocturnal animals, and 

 nestle on trees j they feed on fruits, dead meat and weaker ani- 

 mals. There are from fifteen to eighteen species, all belonging 

 to America. 



8. The Common Opossum, Didelphis Virginiana, (Plate 3, 

 fiy. 9. ; is about the size of a cat ; but its coat gives it the 



appearance of greater size. Its head bears some resemblance to 

 that of a fox, with long, inanimate eyes, and broad, translucent 

 ears like those of the rat. The tail is round, and nearly a foot 

 long ; it is lightly covered with hair near its root, but at the ex- 

 tremity is entirely naked. 



9. On the ground the Opossum is slow, and without resources, 

 but he climbs trees with the greatest dexterity. His food con- 

 sists of birds which he watches for, and surprises in the foliage. 

 He suspends himself by his tail, which is muscular and flexible, 

 and in this position he awaits his prey for several hours at a time. 



1 0. All the other Marsupialia inhabit New Holland, or the 

 neighbouring islands ; among these animals we will mention the 

 Phalangers, Potoroos, Koalas, and Kangaroos. 



11. The PHALANGEKS I'halangista, are climbers that have 

 a large, opposable thumb, and in their general form somewhat 

 resemble squirrels. Some of these Marsupials have received the 

 name of Flying Pkalanyers on account of the prolongation of the 

 skin of their flanks between their extremities, forming on each 

 side of the body, a sort of parachute, by which it is in a degree 

 sustained in the air when he leaps from one tree to another. 



6. Upon what kind of food do Marsupials of the first tribe live ? Where 

 are they found ? 



7. Why are Opossums called Perfimana ? How many species of Opossum 

 arc known? Where do they belong? How many teeih have they? 



8. What is the appearance of the common Opossum ? Describe its tail ? 



9. Is this animal equally active in all situations ? How does it obtain its 

 food? 



10. Are Opossums found in New Holland? What Marsupials are found 

 there ? 



11. What are Phalangers ? What are flying Phalangers ? 



