31 
the feet are alfo white, and the edge of the lateral or 
flying membrane, which extends from the fore feet to 
the hind, is edged with a blackifh border as in the flying 
{quirrels. The abdominal pouch is of confiderable fize, 
and is fituated, as in other opoffums, on the lower part 
of the abdomen. The hind feet are furnifhed with a 
rounded, unarmed, or mutic thumb. Nothing can ex- 
ceed the foftnefs and delicacy of this animal’s fur, which 
is, if poffible, {till finer than that of the Petaurus of New 
Holland defcribed in the Naturalift’s Mifcellany, and to 
which indeed, though very greatly inferior in fize, as 
well as widely differing in colour, it bears a ftriking 
affinity. I muft alfo add, that I have great reafon for 
fuppofing the Petaurus to be furnifhed with an abdomi- 
nal pouch ; a particular which I have not yet been able 
to afcertain; no living fpecimens having been yet im- 
ported. The Opoffum now defcribed is a nocturnal 
animal, and continues torpid during the greateft part of 
the day, but during the night is full of activity. In this, 
as wellas in other Auftralian Didelphides, the two toes 
on the hind feet neareft the thumb or rounded one, are 
connate, or both conjoined under one common {kin. 
The plate reprefents it nearly in its natural fize. 
