SPOTTED OPOSSUM. 
The animal represented in the annexed print 
is a newly discovered species of the Opossum, 
for a knowledge of which we are indebted to 
the settlement in New South Wales. 
It is the Didelphis Viverrina, or Viverrine 
Opossum, of systematic naturalists: but it's 
native name, appears to be the Tapoa Tafa, or 
Tapha; and, under that appellation, it was 
originally figured by Mr. White, in his cele- 
brated Journal. 
Of the Viverrine Opossum, there seems to 
be two varieties : one of which is the Black 
and White Spotted Opossum here figured; the 
other is said to be merely the same animal 
without spots, and of a different colour, 
Some naturalists have denominated the former, 
the Black Opossum Spotted with White; and 
others, whom we have followed, simply the 
Spotted Opossum. Yet, it must be confessed, 
if the two kinds are truly the same species, it 
should 
