OPOSSUM. 
249 
the young ones are born ; blind, weak, and naked ; 
and the moment they come into the world, as if 
they were already tired of it, they retreat into a 
large bag or pouch, which is situated on the lower 
part of the mother’s belly, within which are the 
teats. There they adhere as if they were inani- 
mate, till they arrive at a degree of perfection in 
shape, and attain sight, strength, and hair. They 
are then prepared to undergo what may be called 
a second birth ; after which, they no longer attach 
themselves to the pouch, but merely make use of it 
as an asylum in time of danger. During the period 
of this second gestation, says Mr. Pennant, the fe- 
male shows an excessive attachment to her young ; 
she carries them about with her wherever she goes ; 
and would rather suffer any torture, even death it- 
self, than permit this receptacle to be opened ; for 
she has the power of resisting every effort to un- 
close the pouch, by the help of some very strong 
muscles with which she can contract or dilate the 
orifice at pleasure. 
When the young are suddenly surprised, and 
have not time to reach their asylum, they will cling 
to their mother’s tail and escape with her. The 
opossum is about the size of a small cat, is very de- 
structive to poultry, and sucks the blood without 
eating the flesh. It has a long tail, by which it 
will hang from the branches, and, by swinging its 
body, fling itself among the boughs of the adja- 
cent trees. It will sometimes hang from a bough 
for a considerable time, and watch if any lesser ani- 
