HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 433 



THE OPOSSUM. 

 (Didelphis, Linn. L* Opossum, Buff.) 



THIS animal is found in great numbers in various 

 parts of North and South America, and was sup- 

 posed by Buffon to belong entirely to the new 

 continent. We are now, however, assured, that it 

 exists in many of the Indian islands. Several 

 varieties of the Opossum kind have been seen also 

 in the newly discovered countries in the South Seas. 



THE SARAGOY. THE MURINE. 



THE SARAGOY, or MULUCCA OPOSSUM of Mr. 

 Pennant, is about the size of a Cat: its head is 

 long; nose sharp and pointed; ears large, thin, and 

 naked: eyes small, black, and lively, having a 

 white spot above each of them : its fur is soft, long, 

 and of a dusky ash colour ; its belly white ; its tail 

 is similar to that of a Rat, naked and scaly, ex- 



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