THE FLYING OPOSSUM. 



large ; it has five toes on each foot ; but, on the hind feet, one of the toes 

 refembles a thumb, bj means of which the animal can ufe thofe feet as 

 hands ; the three outfide claws on the hind-feet are connected by a 

 membrane ; like the Flying Squirrel, the flrin of the fides and belly is loofe, 

 and capable of great extenfion; it is connected to the feet, both before and 

 behind ; fo that, when the animal firetches out its legs, the fkin on the fides 

 becomes extended fomewhat like the Bat. By this means, the furface of the 

 animal's body is increafed, and the little creature is enabled to keep itfelf 

 buoyant in the air, till the projectile force of its leap is expired, when it 

 naturally defcends. By this means, it is enabled to jump from one tree to 

 another, at the difiance of above one hundred yards ; but it always mounts 

 to the top of a tree before it takes its leap. As this membrane is broader in 

 this animal than in the Flying Squirrel, it is probable, that it is capable of 

 leaping further. 



