76 



MARSUPIALIA. 



with due precaution, by means of a fine graving tool, and 

 soon brought into view the anterior brim of the pelvis, with 

 the two supernumerary or marsupial bones (fig. 23, a, ,) 

 in their natural position, and having the precise form and 

 proportions of those of the Opossums.* 



He thus demonstrated that there had been entombed 

 in the gypsum of Paris an animal whose genus at the 

 present day is exclusively proper to America, 



Well might Cuvier exclaim, when the delicate but clear 

 outlines of the parts he sought became manifest, " Que ces 

 lineamens sont precieux !" and as richly did he merit, as 

 he must have enjoyed, the satisfaction of thus stamping, 

 in the presence of his colleagues, his principle of palseon- 

 tological research with the impress of its prophetic power. 



* The reader is referred to the original memoir in the " Annales du Museum," 

 t. v. p. 277, for the more minute comparisons, establishing the generic relations 

 and specific differences of the extinct Didelpliys of the Parisian Eocene rocks. 



Fig. 23. 



DIDKLPIIYS GYrSORUM. 



