442 BRUSH-TAILED OPOSSUM, &€,' 
lour is a soft or palish brown above, and almost 
white beneath ; the edges of the flying membrane 
are also white ; the nose, feet, and ears, internally 
are of a light pink or flesh colour ; the tail of a 
flattened form, and is beautifully edged on each 
side with soft silky hairs. The tongue in this ani- 
mal is remarkably large and long, and of a flat- 
tened form ; the hind feet have rounded and un- 
armed thumbs, and the two interior toes are united 
under a common skin. Shaw is inclined to think 
that this little species feeds on insects, and proba- 
bly on young birds, eggs, &c. 
Brush-tailed opossum. 
This species is about the size of the black rat, 
and of an elegant appearance. The general co- 
lour is cinereous or deep grey, somewhat darker 
on the back ; the nose is rather sharp ; the ears 
moderately large, and of a very slightly pointed 
form at the tips ; the sides of the mouth are fur- 
nished with very long fine bristles or whiskers, 
and others somewhat shorter are situated above 
each eye ; the feet are formed as in others of this 
tribe ; the sides are dilated into a flying mem- 
brane ; and the tail is thin and ash coloured for 
nearly *half its length, and from thence is jet black, 
with very long fine hairs, so disposed as to repre- 
sent a brush or large camel's hair pencil. 
Vulpine opossum. 
This, which is one of the larger opossums, is 
said to measure twenty-six inches from the nose to 
The setting on of the tail, and the tail itself fifteen 
inches. The general colour of the animal is on 
the upper parts dusky grey, with a rufous tinge ; 
all the under parts being of a tawny buff colour. 
