MOLUCCA OPOSSUM. 477 
habit than the Virginian Opossum^ with the snout 
longer and the mouth wider in proportion. The 
Count de Buffon, however^ considered it as the 
same species, and accuses Seba of neghgence or 
ignorance in representing it as a native of the 
East Indies ; contending that all the animals of 
this genus are natives of the New World. Sub- 
sequent discoveries, however, have amply justified 
Seba's account of its residence , specimens having 
been frequently imported from the Indian islands, 
&c. Its colour is a moderately deep brown, 
paler beneath; the ears moderately large, and 
somewhat longer in proportion than in the Vir- 
ginian Opossum, or not of so rounded a form : 
the tail nearly similar to that of the Virginian : but 
the superior size, and thinner form both of body 
and limbs, together with its much darker colour, 
sufficiently distinguish it, even at first sight, from 
the former species. It is found in great plenty 
in Aroe and Solor, and is knowni in some parts of 
the East Indies by the name of Pelander Aroe, or 
the Aroe Rabbet. It also occurs in the hotter 
parts of South America, and particularly at Suri- 
nam. It is reckoned a dehcate food, and is said 
to be often seen at the tables of the great in In- 
dia, where it is reared with Rabbets. 
VAll. 
Philander maximus orientalis. Seba i. p, 64, t, 39. 
A supposed variety of the above, but, perhaps, 
a distinct species,- is described and figured by 
