y destructive to poultry. One of the species is aquatic, and has
webbed feet. The terrestrial species are nocturnal. They sleep during
the day in the hollows of trees, and come forth at night to prey on
birds in their roosting-places. Some live entirely on trees.

THE CRAB-EATING OPOSSUM.

The crab-eating opossum is a curious creature, about ten inches in
length; with a prehensile tail, fifteen inches long, in addition. It
has a somewhat pointed nose, and a darkish fur. When born, the young
are transferred by the mother to her cradle pouch, where they live for
some weeks before they are sufficiently developed to venture abroad.

The creature is formed especially for living among the trees, about
which it moves with the activity of a monkey. It advances carefully,
always entwining its tail round one branch before venturing on to
another.

The crabs and other crustaceans on which it lives--from which
circumstance it obtains its name--are found on low marshy soils, in the
neighbourhood of which these species exist.

MERIAN'S OPOSSUM.

A still more curious creature is Merian's opossum (Philander
dorsigerus). It has no true pouch, and the mother, therefore, while her
young are in their infancy, carries them on her back. From this
circumstance the name of _dorsigerus_, or back-bearing, has been given
to it. They cling to her fur with their little hand-like feet, while
they twine their tails round hers, which she places over her back in a
convenient position for that purpose. Other species of opossums carry
their young in the same manner,--some even which are furnished with
well-developed pouches.

YAPOCK OPOSSUM.

The little yapock opossum is a representative of the aquatic species
(Cheironectes yapock). It is of a fawn-grey tint, with dark black
marks. It measures in length about ten inches, with a tail of twelve or
fifteen inches. The hind-feet are furnished with a membraneous web,
which connects the toes together, and serves as a paddle. The fore-paws
possess great grasping powers, and have a hand-like appearance. The
ears are small, sharp, and pointed, and the head tapering. It possesses
also large cheek-pouches, similar in their use to those of monkeys. It
is thus enabled to stow away the creatures it catches on its aquatic
excursions, and to keep them there till it returns to the shore to dine.
It feeds principally on fish, crustaceans, and aquatic insects. So
similar is it in its habits to