Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1827-08-07

or in the shadow Of the tree, to distinguish it,
and If the hunter has not carefully observed the
spot where il fell, his Iabour is often in vain
This circumstance, however, is generally al
tended 10, and the opossum derives little benefit
from his instructive article.
After remaining in this apparently llteiess
condition for considerable time, or SO long as
any noise indicative Of danger can be heard, the
opossum slowly unfolds himself, and creeping
as closely as possible upon the ground, would
fain sneak off unperceived. Upon shout or
outcry in any tone from his prosecutor, he i'm
mediately renews his death-like attitude and
stiffness. If then approached, moved Or ham
dleG, he is still seemingly dead, and might de-
ceive any one not accustomed to his actIods
This feigning is repeated as frequently as OPP
por,unty is allowed him OF attempting to es-
cape, and is known so well to the country folks
as to have long since passed into proyerb.-
" He is playing 'possum" is applied with great
readiness by them to any one who is thought
10 act deceiliulIy or wishes 10 appear what he
is not.
The usual haunts Of the opossum are thick
woods, and their dcns are generally in the hol-
lows of decayed trees, where they pass the day
asleep, and sally forth mostly after night-ia!l TO
seek for food. They are occasionally seen out
during the day light, especially when they have
young ones Of considerable size, TOO large TO
be carried in the maternal pouch. The female
:hen offers very singular appearance, as she
tolls along with twelve or sixteen cubs nearly OF
the size Of rats, each with the turn OF his tail
around the root Of his mothers and clinging
on her back and sides with paws, hands and
mouth This circumstance was thought dis
tinctive Of another species, hence called The do'-
sigero but it is equally true Of the common or
Virgirian opossum. 1t is exceedingly curious
10 see the young, when the mother Is al rest,
take refuge in the pouch, whence one or two oil
them may occasionally be seen pee2ing out, with
an air Of great comGor, and satisfaction. The
mother in this condition, or at ATTY time III de-
fence of her young, will make battle, biting with
much keenness and severity, for which her long
canine teeth are well suited.
lftaken young, the opossum is readily tanned
and becomes very fond Of human society, in
great degree reinquishes its nocturnal habits,
and grows troublesome from its familiarity
We have had one thus tanned which would fol-
low the inmates of The house with great assidui-
ty, and complain by whining noise when Left
alone. AS it grew older i, became mschievous
from its restless curiosity, and there seemed no
possibility Of devising any conrivance eHcctu.
ally 20 secure it, The same circumstance IS
frequently remarked by persons who have at
tempted to detain them in captivity, and OF all
the instances which have come TO our know
ledge, where even great number were appar-
emily welsecured, they have all in short time
enlarged themselves and been no more heard Of
In some such instances these animals have es-
capped in the city, and for long time have TAX
en- their quarters in cellars, where their pres
ence has never been suspected, as during the
day they remained concealed. In this way it is
probable that many are still living in the city of
Philadelphia, obtaining plenty of food by their
nightly labours.