MYRMECOBIUS. 361 



but are of little value, the hair being very coarse and 

 bristly. 



It is an inhabitant of Australia, and is sometimes 

 called the Banded Ant-eater. 



Mr. Nichols says the Myrmecobius feeds upon ants 

 and other insects, and climbs with facility. 



PHASCOGALE. 

 Phascogale penicillata. 



The skin of this small animal is rarely met with, 

 except amongst the sundries. The fur is extremely 

 short, and of a blue or grey colour ; the tail is covered 

 with long black, bristly hairs. 



This animal also inhabits Australia, and the skins are, 

 practically speaking, of no value. 



AMEEICAN OPOSSUM. 



Didelphys virginiana. 



French: Opossum d'Amerique. German: Amerika- 

 nischer Opossum. 



The American Opossum is one of the few marsupials 

 found out of Australasia. It varies from 4 inches to 

 about 3 feet in length, according to age, but these 

 dimensions do not include the long bristly tail. The 

 average size is 14 to 18 inches. 



The ears of the American Opossum are small, black, 

 wide, and bare. The whiskers are black. The general 

 colour is grey or grizzly. The under wool is white, 



