86 
THE RACCOON.-THE OPOSSUM. 
THE RACCOON 
Is frequently found among pets, especially in the country. If taken young, 
he can be thoroughly domesticated. He is a very amusing companion; but 
never gets over his fondness for chickens. He will have to be supplied 
with green corn and vegetables, but will help himself to tidbits from the 
poultry-yard, if not watched. 
THE OPOSSUM, 
Or possum, as he is more commonly 
called, is sometimes a great pet with 
country boys, though what they can see 
to pet in so homely an animal is 
more than we can comprehend. The 
possum uses its tail for climbing, and 
swinging from branch to branch, as 
the monkeys use theirs. Lawson 
says: “ If a cat has nine lives, this 
creature surely has nineteen; for if 
you break every bone in their skin, 
and mash their skull, leaving them 
for dead, you may come an hour after 
and they will be quite gone away, or 
perhaps you may meet them creeping 
away.” The food of the possum consists 
of insects, birds, eggs, etc. His length 
is about twenty-two inches, and his 
height about that of an ordinary cat. 
He is a great scamp, and should be watched, as he is very destructive 
among the hen-roosts. 
