CHIRONECTES. 3 
1. minimus (Latra, sic), Zimm., Geog. Gesch., 11, 1780, p. 317 
paraguensis and guianensis Kerr, Linn. Anim. King., 1792, pp. 
172; 174. 
memina Cuv., Tabl. Elém., 1798, p. 125. 
sarcovienna Shaw, Gen. Zo6l., 1, 1800, pt. Il, p. 447. 
variegatus Illig., Abh. Ak. Wiss., Berl., 1811, p. 107. 
palmata Cuv., Regn. Anim., 1, 1817, p. 174. 
yapock Desm., Mamm., I, 1820, p. 261. 
Fic. |. CHIRONECTES MINIMUS. WATER OPOSSUM. 
WATER Opossum, YApock. Zarro de Aguain Costa Rica; Tlacuazin 
de Agua in Guatemala. 
Type locality. Guiana. 
Geogr. Distr. Guatemala south through Central America to 
southern Brazil. 
Genl. Char. Size medium; ears large, rounded, metatragus very 
small; tufts of facial bristles above eyes, on cheeks in front of ears, 
and on the throat between jaws; whiskers on side of muzzle long; fur 
thick, woolly. 
Color. Grayish white, mixed with light brown; band through eye 
and crown blackish brown; grayish white crescentic band between 
ears above the eyes; line from crown to base of tail, and transverse 
lines over shoulders, middle of back, loins and rump, black; ground 
hue between these slaty gray; chin, chest and belly white; outside of 
arms and legs grayish, the inner side white; tail furred at base 
only, remainder scaly, proximally black grading into yellowish at 
the tip. 
