vIP.Gl^:IA^^ oPossu:.r. 
will never be found precisely the same in Ame- 
rica, or the New World, unless thev are 
transported thither.'* This rule, though very 
general, has certainly, like most other general 
"rules, as they are called, many exceptions. 
^ Pennant, in his description of the Virginian 
'Opossum, which is the objedl of our at pre- 
sent more particular attention,. as if resolved to 
-be even with the grand enemy of systematical 
authors, expressly savs — " M. De BufFon 
seems net to be acquainted with this animal; 
but has compiled an account of it's manners, 
and colledled the synonyms of it. Tiie iigures 
which he has given, belong to other species, 
■as does the description." Amidst all this op- 
position of sentiment, created by prejudice, 
we are to seek for truth, wherever it may 
be found, and however it may be enveloped ; 
.•without being always quite certain, that we 
are not ourselves cquallv swaved by prejudice. 
Some conlusion we perceive in Buti'on's ac- 
count of the Virginian Opossum ; which Pen- 
jiant, perhaps, too gencrallv censures. From 
both these ingenious men, however, material 
assistance is to be dcriv.cd. 
The 
