HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 



395 



The OPOSSUM 



IS found in great numbers in various parts of North 

 and South- America, and was fuppofed by Buffbn to 

 belong entirely to the new continent: We are now, 

 however, aflured, that it exifts in many of the Indian 

 iflands. Several varieties of the Opoflum kind have been 

 feen alfo in the newly-difcovered countries in the South 

 Seas. 



The Saragoy. The Murine. 



The Saragoy, or Mulucca Opossum of Mr Pen- 

 nant, is about the fize of a Cat : Its head is long ; nofe 

 {harp and pointed; ears large, thin, and naked; eyes 

 fmall, black, and lively, having a white fpot above each 

 of them ; its fur is foft, long, and of a dulky am colour; 

 its belly white ; its tail is fimilar to that of a Rat, naked 

 and fcaly, except a fmall part near the body, which is 



