382 tHE OPOSSUM TRIBE. 



taking them. Their den is discovered ; and wheft 

 they are abroad in die night, a sack is fastened at 

 the mouth. One person remains near the hole to 

 watch ; while another beats round the fields with a 

 dog, in order to drive them home. As soon as the 

 man at the hole hears that one has run in for refuge, 

 he immediately seizes the mouth of the sack, ties it, 

 and carries it off. This mode, in many parts of 

 the country, is called, " Sacking the Badger." 

 Sometimes they arc caught in steel traps^ placed in 

 their haunts. 



They live in pairs ; and produce in the spring four 

 or five young. If caught before they are grown up, 

 they may be tamed. — The skin, dressed with the 

 hair on, is used for various purposes ; and the hairs 

 are made into brushes for painters. The flesh, 

 when the animals are well fed, makes excellent hams 

 and bacon. 



THE OPOSSUM TRIBE. 



WE now come to a race of Quadrupeds, so sin- 

 gular in their conformation, as, on their first disco- 

 very, to have excited the general surprise and ad- 

 miration of mankind. The females of most of the 

 species arc furnished with abdominal pouches, for 

 the protection and preservation of their young. In 

 some of these there are two, in others three, distinct 

 cavities ; which can be shut or opened at pleasure? 

 being provided with two bones for that purpose. In 

 these pouches the young remain, hanging to the. 



