"A numerous group, varying in size from that of a mouse to a large cat, arboreal in their habits and abundantly distributed throughout the Australian region . . . have the tail more or less prehensile. . . . These are the typical phalangers or `opossums,' as they are commonly called in Australia. (Genus <i>Phalangista</i>.)"
Ibid. p. 380 [On the American animal]:
"The <i>Didelphidae</i>, or true opossums, differ from all other marsupials in their habitat, being peculiar to the American continent. They are mostly carnivorous or insectivorous in their diet, and arboreal in habits."
1890. C. Lumholtz, `Among Cannibals,' p. 11:
"Among the colonists the younger generation are very zealous opossum hunters. They hunt them for sport, going out by moonlight and watching the animal as it goes among the trees to seek its food."
1891. `Guide to Zoological Gardens, Melbourne':
"We see two fine pairs of the Tasmanian sooty opossum (<i>Phalangista fuliginosa</i>); this species is unapproached by any other in regard to size and the beauty of its fur, which is of a rich, fulvous brown colour. This opossum is becoming scarce in Tasmania on account of the value of its fur, which makes it much sought after. In the next compartment are a pair of short-eared opossums (<i>P. canina</i>), the mountain opossums of Southern Australia. The next is a pair of vulpine opossums; these are the common variety, and are found all over the greater part of Australia, the usual colour of this kind being grey."
1893. `Melbourne Stock and Station Journal,' May 10 (advertisement):
"Kangaroo, wallaby, opossum, and rabbit skins. . . . Opossum skins, ordinary firsts to 7s. 6d; seconds to 3s.; thirds to 1s. 6d; silver greys up to 9s. per doz.; do. mountain, to 18s. per doz."
<hw>Opossum-Mouse</hw>, <i>n</i>. the small Australian marsupial, <i>Acrobates pygmaeus</i>, Shaw; more correctly called the <i>Pigmy Flying-Phalanger</i>. See <i>Flying- Phalanger</i>. This is the animal generally so denoted, and it is also called the <i>Flying-Mouse</i>. But there is an intermediate genus, <i>Dromicia</i> (q.v.), with no parachute expansion on the flanks, not "flying," of which the name of <i>Dormouse-Phalanger</i> is the more proper appellation. The species are the—