. Cassell's natural history. Animals; Animal behavior. rilE YArOCK. 223 It is very curious that the young of these pouchless Opossums should resemble those of the whole order in being comparatively little advanced in their development at the time of their birth. The young are at first strongly attached to the teats of the mother, and when they are sufficiently strong and grown to leave them, occasionally she takes them off from the nipples and places them on her ; Here they cling on with their tails to hers. Hence the name of back-bearing, or Dorsigera, which is given to this
. Cassell's natural history. Animals; Animal behavior. rilE YArOCK. 223 It is very curious that the young of these pouchless Opossums should resemble those of the whole order in being comparatively little advanced in their development at the time of their birth. The young are at first strongly attached to the teats of the mother, and when they are sufficiently strong and grown to leave them, occasionally she takes them off from the nipples and places them on her ; Here they cling on with their tails to hers. Hence the name of back-bearing, or Dorsigera, which is given to this It was at first supposed that this method of carrying the young was restricted to this species, but subsequent experience has shown that several kmds do the same thing. Two or three other species of Opossum are interesting from their small size and habits. Thus the Mm-ina Opossum [Duklphys murina), with a very long tail, inhabits Guiana, Brazil, Peru, and Mexico. The body is about five inches in length, and the tail is either slightly longer or about the same. Yet this little thing attacks birds and insects ; it burrows h\ the gi-ound, and climbs trees to get its insect food. The Elegant Opossum {Didelphys elegans), of Chili, is still smaller than the last, and frequents the thickets growing on the rocky hills near Valparaiso. They are numerous, or were so when Mr. Darwin observed them, and are easily caught in traps baited with cheese or meat. The tail appeared to be i-ai-ely, if at all, used as a prehensile organ'; yet they could run up trees with some degi-ee of facility. It is an interesting fact that some of the smallest Opossums prey upon Lizards and Snakes as large, and even heavier, than themselves. The last section of the Opossums contains the Water Opossum, THE YAPOCK.* This animal has a perfect pouch, and has large hind feet, the toes of which are united by a web. The fore feet are moderate-sized, and the pisiform bone is unusually long. Its habits are aquatic. * Chi
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