HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 435 



The number of the young varies from five to ten 

 or eleven. 



The paps are not disposed in regular order, as in 

 other animals, but seem as if they were formed in 

 those places where the embryos attach themselves 

 to the mother. 



The Opossum is a slow, helpless animal, when on 

 the ground ; but climbs trees with great ease and 

 quickness ; sometimes conceals itself among the 

 branches, and surprises the birds that come within 

 its reach. It frequently hangs suspended by its 

 tail, and in that situation, watches for its prey, 

 which it darts upon with great agility. 



By means of this tail, the Opossum flings itself 

 from one tree to another. It feeds on birds, rep- 

 tiles, insects, roots,' leaves, and bark of trees. It is 

 easily tamed, is neither mischievous nor ferocious ; 

 but its figure is disagreeable, and the odour that 

 exhales from its skin rank and disgusting. 



THE MURINE OPOSSUM. 

 (Didelphis Murina, Linn. La Marmose, Buff.) 



INHABITS the warmest parts of South America. 

 It resembles the former, but is much less. Its food 

 and manner of living are likewise very similar to it. 



It brings forth from ten to fourteen young at a 

 time ; but, instead of a bag, the female has two 

 longitudinal folds under her belly, within which 

 the young are secured. When first produced, they 

 are not larger than beans, and remain closely at- 

 tached to the teat till they attain sufficient growth 

 and strength to provide for themselves. 



