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Virginian opossum, Didelphis virginiana
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Virginian opossum, Didelphis virginiana
Virginian opossum, Didelphis virginiana.. Handcolored copperplate engraving from The Naturalists Pocket Magazine; or, Complete Cabinet of the Curiosities and Beauties of Nature (1798-1802) published by Harrison, London
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Media ID 14219300
© Florilegius / Mary Evans
Didelphis Naturalist Opossum Pennant Pocket Virginian Virginiana
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This handcolored copperplate engraving depicts the Virginian Opossum, Didelphis virginiana, a fascinating and unique marsupial native to North America. The opossum is the only marsupial found in the United States and Canada, and is well known for its ability to play dead when threatened, a behavior known as "playing possum." The image is taken from The Naturalist's Pocket Magazine; or, Complete Cabinet of the Curiosities and Beauties of Nature, published by Harrison in London between 1798 and 1802. The publication was a popular natural history series that aimed to showcase a wide range of natural wonders from around the world. The engraving was produced using the copperplate technique, which involved creating an image on a copper plate, etching the lines, and then applying color using watercolors. The resulting image is intricately detailed and captures the opossum's distinctive features, including its pointed snout, elongated tail, and fur-covered body. The caption beneath the image identifies the subject as the "Virginian Opossum," and attributes the illustration to Thomas Pennant, a prominent British naturalist and author. Pennant was known for his extensive travels and studies of natural history, and his work was widely influential in the development of natural history as a scientific discipline. This beautiful and historic image provides a glimpse into the natural history of the Virginian Opossum, and serves as a reminder of the rich biodiversity of North America. It also offers a fascinating insight into the methods and techniques used by naturalists and illustrators of the past to document and preserve the natural world for future generations.
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