QUIUA OPOSSUM. 
481 
body the black is less extended on each hair, and hence these 
parts are paler. The whole upper surface of the head is 
sooty black, with the exception of two largish white spots on 
the forehead, which are separated from each other by a space 
of a quarter of an inch in width; a small rusty spot is 
observable near the anterior angle of the ear, and immediately 
/ in front of the ear-opening the fur is pale grey or whitish. 
The upper lip, lower part of the cheeks, and the whole of the 
under parts of the body, are white, or cream-coloured; and 
so are likewise the inner side of the hind and fore legs, and 
the hinder part of the latter; the outer surface of the legs, 
and the upper surface of the feet, are grey. The ears are 
large, of an oval form, and apparently were of a darkish 
brown colour in the living animal, but paler at the root. The 
tail is about equal to the head and body in length, thick at 
the root, where it is clothed with fur like that on the body; 
at about two inches from the root the fur terminates, and 
the remaining portion is scaly; at first, of a dusky brown 
colour, but the apical portion is white, and usually the white 
extends back about four or five inches from the point. 
The female of D. Quica I have not seen, but it is said to 
differ somewhat in its colouring from the male M. Tem- 
rainck describes it as of a blackish fawn colour, with a slight 
silvery hue; the flanks and limbs of a bright ash-colour, and 
on the abdomen and region of the pouch of a rusty hue : the 
head and muzzle black or blackish on the upper surface, 
and with three large, white or whitish spots, on each side— 
one above, one beneath, and one behind each eye. 
The flu* of the young is said to be more tinted with fawn 
colour, or with brown, than the adult. 
The subjoined dimensions are from two male specimens. 
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VOL. I. 
