250 
OPOSSUM. 
mal, which it is able to overcome, passes under- 
neath ; when it immediately drops down and de- 
vours it. When the opossum finds itself on the 
point of being taken, it counterfeits death with such 
fortitude, that hardly any torture will make it 
move ; but if the person retires, it will soon put it- 
self in motion, and creep for shelter into some 
neighbouring bush. The female brings forth from 
four to six at a time. 
