Capt. IlARDWicKii's Description of a large Species of Rat. 307 



The legs and toes black; toes all divided to their origins; claws 

 strong, and of moderate length ; on the fore feet the rudiment 

 of a thumb, with a blunt claw; the fifth of the hind foot larger, 

 and more remote from the rest. 



The tail is thinly covered with hair; the last inch naked, and dif- 

 fering in colour from the rest: at the root 2-j- inches in circum- 

 ference, and at the tip six-tenths only; somewhat scaly, and 

 marked the whole length with numerous obscure rings. 



A faithful figure of the natural size, taken from a living sub- 

 ject, accompanies this paper; and will, it is hoped, supply the 

 want of a more minute description. 



The subject here described and figured was a female. Its weight 

 was two pounds eleven ounces and a half. Its total length 2rjx 

 inches, of which length the tail measured, from root to tip, 13 

 inches. The male grows larger, and weighs three pounds and 

 upwards. 



This rat is found in many places on the coast of Coromandel, 

 in Mysore, and in several parts of Bengal, between Calcutta and 

 Hurdwar. It is partial to dry situations, and hardly ever found 

 distant from habitations. The lowest cast of Hindoos eat the flesh 

 of this rat, in preference to that of any other species. 



It is a most mischievous animal, burrows to a great depth, and 

 will pass under the foundations of granaries and store-houses, if 

 not deeply laid. Mud or unburnt brick walls prove no security 

 against its attacks, and it commonly perforates such buildings in 

 all directions. It is destructive in gardens, and roots up the 

 seeds of all leguminous plants sown within its haunts. Cucurbi- 

 taceous plants and fruits also suffer by its depredations. When 

 grain and vegetables are not Avithin its reach, or scarce, it will 

 attack poultry; but the former is its choicest food. 



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