Photographing the Smaller Mammals 131 



to bite. His first act, when he is approached, is 

 not to try to escape, but to feign death or "play 

 'possum." During this stage of the proceedings 

 he is most tantalizing, for no amount of poking 

 will cause him to show any sign of life. He may 

 be picked up, and to do so by his tail is the only 

 natural way, and placed in the crotch or on the 

 branch of a tree or in any other elevated position ; 

 but he will not attempt to hold himself there, 

 rolling immediately off and falling to the ground 

 with a resounding thud, apparently lifeless. No 

 falls of this kind, no matter from what height, 

 appear to injure him in the least, for he is the 

 toughest of all our animals and will receive any 

 amount of hard knocks or blows with seeming 

 indifference. Pay no attention to him, however, 

 and he will soon slowly open his eyes, and, if he 

 thinks he is not observed, will begin cautiously to 

 move away and try, by stealth, to get out of 

 sight before he is detected. When he learns 

 that his "playing 'possum" is not benefiting him 

 he will wake up, and then one can have no better 

 subject. By the aid of the reflex or even with 

 the ordinary outfit one can then easily photograph 

 him in any position he may desire. 



The porcupine makes another easy subject, 

 although he cannot be handled with impunity if 

 one would not have his hand made into the ap- 

 pearance of a pincushion by his sharp, barbed 



