434 NEW HOLLAND OPOSSUM, &C. 
which it has its name ; it is very active in climb- 
ing trees, on which it lives the whole day. In 
marshy places, on the shore, it feeds on crabs, 
which, when it cannot draw out of their holes 
with its feet, it hooks them by means of its long tail. 
If the erab, however, pinches its tail, a case not un- 
common, it sets up a loud cry, which may be 
heard a great way off. Its common voice is a 
grunt, like a young pig. It is well furnished 
with teeth, and will defend itself stoutly against 
dogs. The female brings forth four or five young 
ones at a time, and secures them in a hollow tree. 
The natives eat these animals, and say their fiesli 
resembles that of a hare. They are easily tamed, 
and will then refuse no kind of food. 
New HOLLAND OPOSSUM. 
Tins species was found near Endeavour river, 
on the eastern coast of New Holland ; it lodges 
in the grass, but is not common. Its length from 
the head to the tail, that is, the length of its body, 
is about thirteen inches ; the tail the same. The 
upper part of the head, the back, and sides, are 
covered with long, soft, glossy hairs, of a dark 
ash-colour at the bottom, of a rusty brown towards 
the ends ; the belly is of a dirty white. Its tail is 
taper, covered with short brown hair, except four 
inches of the end, which space is white, and naked 
underneath. Its toes are like those of the former 
species. 
Short-tailed opossum. 
The short-tailed opossum has naked ears ; its 
back is of a duL\ red, the belly paler. The tail 
is scarce half the length of the body ; ii is thick at 
the base, and tapers toward the end. It has no 
