. The popular natural history . Zoology. THE OPOSSUM. 121 The food of the Myrmecobius is supposed chiefly to consist of ants and simi- lar diet, as it is generally found inhe'biting localities where ants most abound. For this kind of food it is well fitted by its long tongue, which is nearly,as thick as a common black-lead pencil, and is capable of protrusion to some distance. In confinement a specimen of the Myrmecobius was accustomed to feed on bran imong other sub- stances. It is known that in the wild state it will eat hay, as well as the " manna " that exudes from the branches o
. The popular natural history . Zoology. THE OPOSSUM. 121 The food of the Myrmecobius is supposed chiefly to consist of ants and simi- lar diet, as it is generally found inhe'biting localities where ants most abound. For this kind of food it is well fitted by its long tongue, which is nearly,as thick as a common black-lead pencil, and is capable of protrusion to some distance. In confinement a specimen of the Myrmecobius was accustomed to feed on bran imong other sub- stances. It is known that in the wild state it will eat hay, as well as the " manna " that exudes from the branches of the Eucalypti. It is a very gentle animal in its disposition, as, when captured, it does not bite or scratch, but only vents its displeasure in a series of little grunts when it finds that it is unable to make its escape. The number of its young is rather various, but averages from five to eight. The usual habitation of the JMyrmecobius is placed in the de- cayed trunk of a fallen tree, or, in default of such lodging, is made in a hollow in the ground. It is a native of the borders of the Swan River. There are very few of the mar- supiated aiiimals which are more remarkable for their form, their habits, or tneir character, than the Opossums of America. They are nearly all admirable climbers, and are assisted in their scansorial efforts by their long prehensile tails, which are covered with. scales, through the interstices of which a few short black hairs protrude. The hinder feet are also well adapted for climbing, as the thumb is op- posable to the other toes, so that the animal is able to grasp the branch of a tree with considerable force, and to suspend its whole body together with the additional weight of its prey or its young. The Virginian or Common Opossum is, as its name imphes, a native of Virginia as well as of many other portions of the United States of America. In size it equals a tolerably large cat, being rather more than three feet in total length, the head and
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