72 
NATURAL HISTORY. 
fo very unwholefome, that it endangered the 
lives of three lailors who cat fome of it 
when boiled. 
Dr. Goklfmith relates, that when a Green- 
lander and his wife are paddling out at fea, 
a white hear will frequently jump into the 
boat, and be rowed to fiiore like any other 
pafTenger. 
The O P O S S U M. 
HAT diflinguifiics this from all other 
V V animals, and has long excited the won- 
der of mankind, is a large pouch in the lower 
part of the belly of the female, in which the 
teats are lodged, and where the young ait 
fiieltered as foon as they are brought forth; 
at which time they are blind, naked, fnrall, 
and imperfeft. Nature, therefore, has, ve- 
ry providentially, provided them with this 
maternal afylum, until they can perfedt their 
being. But when they arc grown flronger, 
they leek fliclter here, as chickens under the 
wing of the hen ; here they repofe from fa- 
tigue, or feek their food when hungry. On 
thefe occafions, the dam moft readily opens 
her bag to receive them. I'he flcfli of the 
old opofTum i.s like that of a fucking pig. 
the Indian women dye its hair, and weave 
it into girdles. 'I’he llcin has a very ofi’en- 
five fmell: the head, which is like that of the 
