480 JAVAN OPOSSUM. 
at the base, and gradually tapers to the end. 
is a native of South America. 
It 
JAVAN OPOSSUM. 
Didelphis Bninii. D. cauda hrtmcaha, pcdibus posticis longiori' 
bus tridactylis. Lin, Syst. Nat. GmeL p. 109. 
O. with short naked tail, and long tridactylous hind feet. 
Filander. Le Brun. voi/, p. 347./. 213. 
Javan Opossum. Pennant Quadr. 22. 
This species was first discovered by Le Bruyn 
the traveller, who had an opportunity of con- 
templating it in the island of Java. The head is 
narrow and fox-like : the ears upright: the gene- 
ral colour of the animal is a pale yellowish brown, 
with a brown stripe up the forehead : in the upper 
jaw are six cutting teeth : in the lower only two, 
which are formed like those of a Squirrel. Le 
Bruyn's figure represents it sitting up in a pos- 
ture similar to that of a Jerboa^ or the Kanguroo ; 
to which latter, indeed^ it is allied in the remark- 
able particularity of the two exterior toes of the 
hind feet being inclosed under a common skin, 
as well as in its leaping pace, and the general form 
of the hind legs and feet; the fore feet have five 
toes : the abdominal pouch is large, and in it are 
preserved the young, which Le Bruyn observed 
peeping out at intervals. It is said to be about 
the size of a hare. 
