ZOOLOGY 



Genus— OPOSSUM. Species— O POSSUM 

 FLYING MOUSE. 



Character. — Not exactly known. 



IN the discoveries lately prosecuted in New Holland 

 and the southern Islands of the globe, the Opossum Flying 

 Mouse may justly be classed as the most extraordinary and 

 eccentric ; it resembles in so many of its qualities such a 

 number of different animals, that it is almost impossible to 

 determine to which it is most nearly allied. In the form of 

 ils teeth, it is similar to the Jerboa; in the flaps or mem- 

 branes, uniting the foremost and hinder legs, it resembles 

 the Flying Squirrel and Flying Dragon; in the pouch, 

 which is placed like an apron for receiving its young, it 

 resembles the Common and the Flying Opossum, and in 

 the tail it differs from all other animals at present known, 

 in having a flattened fin on each side. 



The Opossum Flying Mouse has a lively sharp appear- 

 ance, and is one of those animals which live in the trees 

 and forests of Botany Bay and its neighbourhood, descend- 

 ing when it choses from bough to bough, and sometimes 

 to the ground itself, by means of the two broad leathery 

 flaps that reach along each side of its body, which are 

 covered with hair on the upper side. 



The teeth are sharp and projecting, and calculated for 

 piercing and breaking all kinds of nuts and fruits; his hair 

 is of a pleasing dusky brown, shining, and in some parts 

 curling agreeably over his back. 



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