. The naturalist's library; containing scientific and popular descriptions of man, quadrupeds, birds, fishes, reptiles and insects; . heir strong tusks. Others MAMMALIA —OPOSSUM. 213 say, that they live on the broad leaves of a certain vegetable which growsin the sea, and that they eat neither flesh nor fish. But I imagine all theseopinions have but a weak foundation; and there is reason to think, that thewalrus, like the seal, lives on prey, especially herrings and other fish; forit does not eat at all when upon land, and it is chiefly hunger which obligesit to return to the sea. The fat of t
. The naturalist's library; containing scientific and popular descriptions of man, quadrupeds, birds, fishes, reptiles and insects; . heir strong tusks. Others MAMMALIA —OPOSSUM. 213 say, that they live on the broad leaves of a certain vegetable which growsin the sea, and that they eat neither flesh nor fish. But I imagine all theseopinions have but a weak foundation; and there is reason to think, that thewalrus, like the seal, lives on prey, especially herrings and other fish; forit does not eat at all when upon land, and it is chiefly hunger which obligesit to return to the sea. The fat of the walrus furnishes from one to two barrels of oil; and theskin is capable of being manufactured into a strong and elastic leather. ORDER FIVE — MAR of this order have teeth different in the different genera. Theyoung are brought forth prematurely, often into a pouch formed by a fold ofthe skin of the abdomen of the females, inclosing the mammae; marsupialbones in both sexes ; thumb of the hind feet sometimes wanting, sometimesvery distinct, without nail, opposable to the other toes. THE VIRGINIAN OPOSSUM.*. The opossum is found in Brazil, Guiana, Mexico, Florida, Virginia, andother temperate regions of this continent. The female has under the bellya large cavity, where she receives and suckles her young; she producesoften, and a great number of young each time, most authors say, four orfive, others six or seven. 1 Didelphis Virginiana, Penn. The genus Didelphis has ten upper and eight lower inci-sors ; two upper and two lower canines; twelve or fourteen upper and fourteen lower superior intermediate incisors larger than the others; lower incisors equal; canines•;trong, compressed molars, the three first in the upper jaw triangular; the others crown-ed with points ; head long and conical; muzzle pointed, mouth much cleft; ears large,rounded and almost naked; five toes on all the feet; nails long and bent; hind feet planti-grade with the thumbs
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