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YK.^Observations on the Anatomy of the Pera- 
meles nasiita, Jrom New Holland. 
By R. E. Grant, M. D., 
Professor of Zoology and Comparative Anatomy in the University of 
London, F. II.S.E., F.L.S., M.W.S., &c. 
{Read 26th January 1828.) 
Since that remarkable quadruped the Virginian Opossum, 
with an open external pouch on the fore part of its belly 
for the reception and maintenance of its premature young 
during the period of their lactation, was first observed by 
navigators on the coasts of the New World, naturalists 
have become familiar with the singular appearance and 
habits of many similar Marsupial animals, by their fre- 
quent occurrence in different parts of America, in the 
islands of the South Pacific Ocean, in New Holland, and 
other parts of the East ; and more than fifty species of this 
new and remarkable order of Mammalia have now been 
observed and described by authors. But notwithstanding 
the interesting observations of Barton, Aboville, Bell, 
Home, Geoffroy, Blainville, and Cuvier, on the structure 
and economy of these animals, the distinctive characters 
and living habits of many of the species are still imperfect- 
ly known, the anatomy of very few has been examined 
