498 
SQUIRREL OPOSSUM. 
Didelphis Sciurca. D. hypochojidriis prolixis wlitans, supra 
cana, subtus nwea, cauda villosissima prehensili, apicem versus 
nigra, Zool. of New Holland, JVo. 4. 29. ^. 1 1. 
Pale-grey Opossum, snow-white beneath, with lateral flying 
membrane and very villose prehensile tail. 
This is perhaps the most beautiful quadruped, 
if we except the Petaurus or Great Flying Opos- 
sum, of all the Australasian species yet discovered. 
In its general aspect it has so much the appear- 
ance of a Squirrel, that, on a cursory view, it 
might readily pass for such. A more exact in- 
spection into its characters will, however, evince 
it to be a genuine Opossum. Its size is nearly 
that of a common Squirrel ; but, from the fullness 
and particular growth of the fur, which, like that 
of the Lemur, grows in a suberect manner, it ap- 
pears somewhat larger. Its general colour is ex- 
actly like that of the Sciurus cinereus, or Ameri- 
can Grey Squirrel. A black stripe passes over 
each eye along the top of the head : under each 
ear is a black patch surrounded with white ; the 
hair on the white part having a more soft or floc- 
culent appearance than the black. The tail, 
which is prehensile, is of the same colour with 
the body for about half its length, the remainder 
being black. It is very full of hair, and tapers a 
little towards the extremity, but without any acute 
termination. The eyes are black, rounded, and 
full; the ears round, shortish^ and very thin: the 
