HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 



441 



THE SQUIRREL OPOSSUM. 



WE are favoured with a drawing" of this beautiful 

 animal, taken from a living one in the possession 

 of the reverend Mr. Egerton, prebendary of Dur- 

 ham, by the ingenious Mr. Carfrae. 



It is a native of New South Wales; is about 

 eighteen inches long, exclusive of the tail, which is 

 twelve: its head is broad, and pointed at the 

 muzzle, which is furnished with long whiskers; its 

 eyes are full, exceedingly prominent, and of a fiery 

 redness ; it has five claws on the fore feet, three on 

 the hind, and a thumb; two cutting teeth on each 

 jaw, the upper projecting beyond the under. Its 

 manners are similar to those of a Squirrel. It sits 

 up, holds its food in its fore paws with great dex- 

 terity, and feeds itself. When irritated, it sits still 

 more erect, or throws itself upon its back, making 

 a loud and harsh noise. It feeds on vegetables, 

 small birds, &c. 



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