88 AN entosiologist's excursiox. 



upon me as a necromancer, for, as he said, he never saw any one handle a 

 Snake before. I assured him that there was no venom attached to them 

 whatever; to prove which, I took hold of its long livid tongue, alias 

 ^'stinger," with my finger and thumb, and afterwards put its head to my 

 face; and by so doing, I believe my astonished beholder became a proselyte 

 in kindness towards this beautiful ill-treated reptile. 



Forget-me-nots, {Mijosotis palustris,~) Common Marjoram, and a variety 

 of St. John's Wort plants are common about this hill, but more especially along 

 the banks of a little stream that runs through a beech wood at the south 

 end. There were numerous species of the Common Physa fintinabis, trans- 

 porting themselves along, adhering to the surface of the water, with the shells 

 downwards. Several Golden-crests, (Eegulus auricapillus,) were flitting from 

 twig to twig in search of insects, singing their sweet little song as they fled. 

 I observed here likewise, three Great Spotted Woodpeckers, (Ficus major,) 

 several Sand Martins, (Hirundo nparia,) and a Water Ouzel, {Cindus aquaticus.) 

 About half-way down this stream, the water is dammed in for some purpose, 

 and is about three feet deep. I sat down on the bank to have some 

 refreshment, and to watch the manoeuvres of the Water Boatmen, {Notonecta,) 

 and other aquatic insects. I perceived a Water Eat, (Arvicola ampliibius,) 

 on some weeds, who was, like myself, enjoying a repast. When I turned 

 my head to ascertain on what he was feasting, he made a start, but did 

 not disappear; and on seeing me again motionless, he felt no alarm, as was 

 shown by his sitting up and washing his face. I never miss an opportunity 

 of watching the movements, and knowing more of the habits, of this singular 

 animal. 



This little fellow performed many tricks which I never saw acted by any 

 of his family: it was indeed pleasing to sec him dive and run along on the 

 bottom of the water in search of food, which consisted of roots and stems 

 of aquatic plants. There was one root for which he had a greater relish 

 than the rest; he made several unsuccessful attempts to bring it up, and 

 on one of these occasions, he remained quite a minute under water. By this 

 time, another Rat made its appearance, which the other seemed not to 

 notice; however they soon came in contact, and a friendly understanding 

 commenced therewith. The first Rat being much smaller than the second, 

 I concluded was a male, as diminutivcness of size is the characteristic dis- 

 tinction of the male sex. The small Rat began licking the face and ears of his 

 companion, which she seemed to like very much, for when one side was 

 well 'licked,' she turned the other to be dealt with in like manner. This 

 performance, which lasted about five minutes, being done, the small Rat 

 approached the spot where his favourite root lay under water, which he had 

 not yet pronounced as *sour;' he was followed by the large Rat; and now a 

 mutual understanding seemed to exist between them; for as soon as the 

 little one dived, and began tugging at the 'root, he was joined by the other; 

 and by their united exertions, they bore the prize to the surface, and com- 



