Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1921-08-23
STUDIES IN :, I
. NATURAL HISTORY
- - ~ AZ ,Nf'
By JAMES HENRY RICE, Jr.
THE oPossuM.

=
Class, Mamnalia;. order, Marsupi-
ala: Genus, DidelphysS Family, Di-
delphydae: Species, yrginisnps.
The name of this ordsr, comes from
the Latin word marsupium tGreek,
marsupion), deep bag, or purse for
holding money. Didelphys means.
having two wombs, a cprious fact in
the animals anatomy, where there are
many curious facts. For example, the
opossum has more teeth thar. any an
imal living, fifty in all. -
There are five main toes, each with
three joints, the same as in the human
foot: and one side toe or thumb, on
the hind feet. which has no nah. thus
resembling the same toe in monkeys;
it is prehensile.. 80
There are. twenty-three living spe-
cies Of the family Dfdelphydae, rang
ing. from the northern. tier. of states
south to Patagonia; but one Virgin
Janus, our common Opossum. known
in the United States, but not confined
to our borders: for It is extra rllmital
as the scientists say. The common
Opossum is found throughout Mexico
and Middle America, and even in the
tropical parts of South America,
where It is known as the Crab eating
Opossum. ~
This is the largest of the OposMm
tribe, and to us the most Interesting
Soft Fur Under Long Hair. -
Superfcially, the opossum Is cover
ed with long, hair under which is a
soft fur. The tail, throughout mostsof
its length. and the ears are haIrIess. Y
The brain is very little Developed,
which is to be expected OF an. animals so
ancient for the. Opossum existed In
remote geologic times, when the earth
wore different appearance fom
what II does now. There are several
extinct specieS... -St. - ~
Another curious fact Is that, With
the excpetion Of, the OpossUm the
marsupials ARE confined to Australia
sia. Our Opossums are far away from
| their next of kin; and it is auiopg the
! puzzles of science TO, figure out how
SO helpless an animal has, survived.
WItH VI lIilEIlJ DcdSld kn1No
become extinct, and also how ,thissQns
family should be stranded thqnGalds
! Of miles away from the home Of mar
supials. 1t is indeed far cry, from
America to Australia, ,,
Feeding the Young. ~,
1t is believed that the female Opos-
sum brings forth her young while on
her back and Is thus able to transfer
them easily TO the pouch. where they
| at once fasten on the tmammae In
| deed after the mother-is dead. IL Is all
! but impossible to separate the young
| from the teats. Milk Is squitted down
their throats by means OF a aitnusele,
controlled, by the mother. They are
kept from snffoeation hy uha wing the
upper extremity of the E;rynX Of Rlpn
! gate and conical form, so that gespira-
ton goes on freely, while the, milk
flows on each side of this lafyngesl
cone (Huxiey). s@.l ~ RS ~
From six to sixteen young are
brought forth at a birth; and The
young remain fastened, .to.ithe steats
until they are about the size, Of n 7
mouse, when they let go, sucking only
when they are hungry. At this t@e
| theyNoften leave the pouch and dlretufn
to 1t for nourishment or pretecticn.
1 II ne NOuIlH dIt DOlu udlItCsS dbh w tttt4s
| just the size of young rats, or ratiser
MICE ..g5.. ..,s., sss, %
The tail of the Opossum Is preheh-
sile, of course, fact known to- eveEy
farmers son in the country and{tD
every negro. - .,ry~ a.
Amazing Anatomy. ,ali. ~
! The most amazing thing about The
| Opossum is its anatomy, but this can
not well 'be discussed here, beyond
stating that the, females, in addition
TO double womb have one ample
cloacal passage for genitals, urinary
organs and anus: in this resembling
birds. The male contemplation y
equally amazing-no other word suits.
In habit the Opossum is a,,lnigbt
| dweller). and eats almost everything:
dwller), and eats almost, everything;
but his main food consists, of Insects,
berries, fruits, his relish for the. mug
cadine grape and the persimmon haY-
ing passed into proverbs. r.n ..lsSesN
| So much esteemed is the flesh by
many citizens that the statement has
been made that no governor OF, GeofF
gia could be inaugurated without q
"possum" supper; and they cialm
| over there that the animal IL Geor-
! gia product. He is rather Geotsia
! anti t.,, A. u. e. y