r,os 
D1DELPHYS MURINA. 
lier largo work upon the insects of Surinam, where it is 
represented with the young upon the back. 
In size the D. dorsu/era is rather inferior to the common 
black rat; its fur is short and scanty, and the hairs of which 
it is composed are of a deep grey colour at the root, and of a 
grey brown, or brownish yellow tint, at the point, and the 
general tint resembles that of the common brown rat. The 
eyes are surrounded by a deep brown ring, which is narrow 
both above and below the eye, but the dark hue is much 
extended in front: the forehead is yellowish white, as are 
also the cheeks, the outer surface of the fore legs, and the 
feet. The tail is of a uniform brown colour, and perfectly 
destitute of lmirs, excepting at the root. 
Inches. Lines. 
Length from tip of nose to root of tail ... 6 0 
•• of tail ... . ... ... 7 SJ 
*• of hairy portion of ditto .. 1 0 
“ from tip of nose to eye . 8 
DIDELPHYS MUHINA. 
Murine Opossum. 
Didelphis murina. Linn., Syst. (cd. 12), i. p. 72. 
** “ Sciirbukr’s Suugeth. iii. p. 545, tab. 149. 
44 41 Temminck, Monographic*dc Mamina logic, tom. i. p.50. 
Murine Opoxxum. Pennant, Quadr. p. 207. 
•* 44 Shaw, General Zoology, VoL i. Pt. 2, p. -127. 
Fur short and soft, of nu ochreous and sometimes rusty yellow 
hue on the upper parts of the body, and yellow-white on the 
under parts ; eyes surrounded by black, which is much 
extended in front of the eye; tail rather longer tliau the 
head and body together, and of an uniform yellow tint. 
Inhabits Guiana, Brazil, Peru, and .Mexico. 
