534 
CHIRONECTES VARIEGATUS. 
tail abovo. About two and a half indies of the tail is 
do tiled with fur like that on the body ; the remaining portion 
is covered with scales, between which spring short bristly 
hairs; the scaly part of the tail is chiefly black, but the 
apical portion is white, the white extending backwards about 
four inches from the point. The upper suffice of the feet 
is brownish : the toes of the fore feet are long, united at the 
base to the end of the first phalanx : on the outer side of the 
foot is an elongated tubercle, having the appearance of a 
rudimentary sixth toe; the fleshy pads on the under surface 
of the foot arc very large and rough ; the nails are small, and 
partially embedded in the large fleshy pads with which the 
toes are terminated. The hind feet arc very large; the toes are 
long, and tied together by an ample web, which extends to 
the base of the claws. The opposable, thumb-like, inner toe, 
as usual, lias no nail ; the claws of the other toes are of 
moderate size, curved, and compressed ; those of the two 
inner toes are more compressed than the others. 
Inches. Lines. 
Length from tip of nose to root of tail ... 10 6 
" of tail . 13 6 
In the specimen examined by Mr. Ogilby, which has already 
been referred to, the bead und body measured ten inches, 
and the tail was of the same length. Dr. Nattcrer, however, 
informed Mr. Ogilby that lie had specimens which measured 
fourteen or fifteen inches. The specimen described by Buflbn 
was a young animal, and was supposed by him to lie a species 
of Otter, and indeed for a long period the Yopock was 
classed by mammaiogists amongst die Otters. 
In its habits the Water Opossum greatly resembles the 
animals just mentioned. Buflbn s specimen was found in 
Cayenne, and, according to Dr. Natterer, it is likewise a 
