them or their dogs.
It is about four feet long, including the tail, which measures about
eighteen inches.

THE MINK.

Another denizen on the shores of the fresh-waters of Canada is the mink,
called also the smaller otter, and sometimes known as the water
pole-cat. It may be seen swimming about the lakes, preferring generally
the still waters in autumn to the more rapidly-flowing currents of
spring. It somewhat resembles the otter, and differs in shape slightly
from the marten or ferret. Its teeth, however, are more like those of
the pole-cat than the otter; while its tail does not possess the
muscular power of the latter animal.

Like the otter, it lives upon fish and frogs, but will occasionally make
a marauding expedition into poultry-yards. Its general colour is a dark
reddish-brown, approaching in some specimens almost to black on the
head; while there is a patch of white, varying in size, under the chin.
It is trapped by the settlers both in self-defence and on account of its
fur, which is of considerable value, and greatly resembles sable--a good
skin often fetching four or five dollars.

MARSUPIALS, OR POUCHED ANIMALS:--THE VIRGINIAN OR COMMON OPOSSUM.

The opossum, with its prehensile tail, marsupial pouch, and cunning
ways, stands alone for its singularity among all the animals of the
American continent. Many of the tribe are found in South America; but
the Virginian opossum, the size of a full-grown cat, is larger than all
its relatives. The head and body measure about twenty-two inches; and
the tail, fifteen. It is covered with a light grey hair of wool-like
softness, short on the face and body, but long on the legs. The base
end of the tail is thick and black, and is covered with small scales.
So powerful is this member that the opossum can hold on with it to the
bough of a tree, and even when desperately wounded it does not let go.
Its face is long and sharpened, the mouth very determined, and armed
with numerous sharp teeth. It has thin, naked, round, and blackish
ears, edged with a border of white. It has short legs, the feet being
armed with claws, and the interior toes of the hind-feet are flat and
rounded.

It has the power of emitting a disagreeable odour when chased or
alarmed. When pursued, it makes for the nearest tree; and should it
discover the approach of a hunter and his dogs when already up a tree,
instead of taking to flight, it lies close along the branch,
endeavouring to