THE FLYING OPOSSUM. 



Generic Characters. 

 The number and dirpofition of the teeth uncertain. 

 Five toes on each foot ; the hind feet formed like a hand with a 



diftinct thumb. 

 The body alated like the Flying Squirrel. 



Synonims. 

 Potaurus, Dr. Shaw's Naturaliji Mifc. 

 Hepoona Roo, Whites Botany Bay. 



THIS animal has not long been added to the catalogue of quadrupeds ; 

 it is an inhabitant of New South Wales, and is hitherto not fufficiently known 

 to afcertain either its generic characters or its habits with any degree of 

 accuracy ; it is however probable, from analogy, that it fomewhat refembles 

 the Flying Squirrel in its manners. The ingenious Dr. Shaw, whofe 

 knowledge of natural hiltory gives great weight to his opinion, feems 

 inclined to make a new genus of this animal, under the generic name 

 Potaurus, as, although it greatly refembles the Opoflum genus in fome 

 particulars, it differs from it in others : the decinon muft, perhaps, be 

 referved for more accurate investigation than we are hitherto poffeffed of. 



This animal is nearly as large as a Cat, and is very active and playful ; 

 its colour is dark, very rich and gloffy, and mixed with grey ; it is white 

 under its belly, throat, and thighs ; each hip is adorned with a round ipot of 

 the colour of tanned leather ; the texture of its fur is beautifully foft and 

 fine, and much more delicate than that of the Sea-Otter; it is continued 

 down to the claws : the nofe is fharp and pointed ; the ears upright and 



