THE MERIAN OPOSSUM. 385 



six young ones at a time. As soon as these come 

 into the world, they retreat into her pouch or false 

 belly, Wind, naked, and exactly resembling little 

 foetuses. They fasten as closely to the teats as if 

 growing to them. To these they continue to 

 adhere apparently inanimate, till they arrive at 

 some degree of perfection in shape, and obtain 

 their sight, strength, and hair ; after which they un- 

 dergo a sort of second birth. From that time they 

 use the poucli merely as an asylum from danger. 

 The mother carries them about with the utmost af- 

 fecdon, and they may frequently be seen sporting in 

 and out of this secure retreat. Whenever they are 

 surprized, and have not time to retire into the pouch, 

 it is said, they will adhere to the tail of the pa- 

 rent, and thus still endeavour to escape with her *. 



The American Indians spin the hair of the Opos- 

 sum, and dye it red ; then weave it into girdles, and 

 other parts of their dress. The fiesli is white, and 

 well-tasted, and is preferred by the Indians to pork: 

 that of the young eats very much like sucking pig -j^. 



THE MERIAN OPOSSUM ^. 



We have little other description of this small ani- 

 mal, than what is inserted in the splendid Illustra- 

 tion of the Insects of Surinam, by Madame Merian, 

 from whom it has received its name. The foUow- 



* Penn. Arct. Zool. i. 7-1. t Brickcll, 125.— Da Pratj, i>65, 



X Synonyms. — Ditlclphis Dorf'iii.eia. Linn. — Surinam Opossum, 



Kerr. — Philandre de Surinam. Buffori, — Merian Opossum, Pcnth 



S/uixi's Gen. Zgol.pi 108, 



Vol. I. C c 



