472 
DIDELPHIS. OPOSSUM, 
Generic Character. 
Denies Primores minuti, ro- 
tundati. 
Buperiores decern, intermediis 
duobus longioribus. 
Inferiores octo, intermediis 
duobus latioribus brevissi- 
mus. 
Laniarli longi. 
Molares denticulati. 
Lingua papillis ciliata. 
Folliculus (plerisque) abdomi- 
nalis mammarum. 
FronUteeth small, rounded. 
Superior ten, the two middle 
ones longer. 
Inferior eight, the two mid- 
dle ones broader and very- 
short. 
Canine-teeth long. 
Grinders denticulated. 
Tongue ciliated with papillse. 
Abdominal pouch (in most spe- 
cies) containing the teats. 
X HE animals of this highly singular genus first 
became known to naturalists on the discovery of 
the Western Continent, and most justly excited 
the admiration of the philosophic world, by the 
strange, and, till then, unheard-of contrivance of 
Nature for the protection and preservation of the 
young; which, instead of being exposed, like 
other animals, during their state of helpless im- 
becility to the casualties incident to that period, 
were securely concealed in a pouch or receptacle 
situated under the body of the parent. 
