CHAPTER IX. 



ial and gtmtoimnafous 



YAPOCK OPOSSUM (Cheironectes Yapock). 



EVEN the marsupial group i.e., those animals which 

 carry their young in natural pouches is not without 

 its aquatic representative, which we find in the Yapock 

 Opossum of Tropical America. 



This remarkable animal departs in many ways from 

 the structure and habits of its kin. As a rule, the 

 opossums are lovers of trees, traversing them as 

 actively as the squirrels, and securing themselves by 

 their long, prehensile tails, which they twist round the 

 branches after the fashion of the spider-monkeys of 

 the same country. Indeed, so powerful is the grasp 

 of the tail that the animal often feeds while suspended, 

 holding the food to its mouth by means of its fore 

 paws. And if it be shot while hanging, it will often 

 retain its hold until decomposition sets in, and loosens 

 the tense muscles. 



They are all predacious animals, and, whenever 

 they find their way to the farm-yard, work terrible 

 destruction among the poultry. 



