362 MAESUPIALIA. 



slightly darker at the tip, and in some specimens almost 

 black. The longer hairs are grey or whitish. The 

 belly is very sparingly covered with short hair of a drab- 

 brown colour, with a white line running from the centre, 

 which becomes yellow near the neck. The tail is long, 

 scaly, devoid of fur, and about two-thirds of it towards 

 the tip is wdiite. 



White specimens are by no means uncommon, but 

 fawn are much rarer. We have only once seen a mottled 

 grey and white skin, which is extremely rare. 



The fur, although rather coarse, is thick and good in 

 the full-seasoned animal, and a skin varies in price from 

 Is. to 2s. 8d. (1891), according to size and quality. This 

 fur forms an important article of commerce, being used 

 in the natural state, and also dyed black, brown, and 

 grey, for capes, muffs, etc. About 200,000 to 300,000 

 skins are imported annually. 



The pelt is generally very greasy, owing to the fatty 

 nature of the Opossum. 



This Opossum appears to have increased considerably 

 with the advance of the settlers in America. 



It inhabits the United States exclusiveh', and is 

 never found in Canada, and its principal habitats are 

 Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee, 

 Illinois, Indiana, and Honduras. 



The flesh of this animal is said to be good eating. 



In an old work on America, p. 329, the Opossum is 

 thus described : — 



" The Opossum is as big as a Cat, hath a sharp 

 Mouth, the upper jaw-bone hanging over the lower, 

 long, straight, and broad Ears, and a very long Tail, bald 

 at the end, which winds in a Circle ; on its Back black 

 Hair sprinkled with grey Spots, and with its sharp Claws 

 climbs up the Trees, where it feeds on Fruit, and some- 



