2t8 LLOYDS NATURAL HISTORY. 



Distriljiition. — The geographical range of this species is very 

 extensive, including nearly the whole of Europe and a large 

 portion of Asia north of the Himalaya, but it does not appear to 

 be known further east than China. Unknown in Ireland, it is 

 so universally distributed in England and Scotland that no special 

 notice is necessary on this point, except that, while found in 

 Sutherland and Caithness, it is unknown in Argyllshire and 

 the Isles. Although locally abundant in some districts, the 

 black variety appears much more common in Scotland than in 

 England. 



Not improbably occurring in the forest-bed of the Norfolk 

 coast, in a fossil state, the Water-Vole is met with in the 

 Pleistocene brick-earths of the Thames Valley, and likewise in 

 a number of English caverns. 



Habits. — Of the mode of life of the Water-Vole, Macgillivray, 

 in the original edition of the " Naturalist's Library," writes that 

 " its residence is in the banks of rivers, brooks, canals, mill-dams, 

 and ponds, in which it forms long and tortuous burrows. It 

 frequently betakes itself to the water, swims and dives with 

 ease ; and generally has an entrance to its retreat beneath the 

 surface, so that in cases of danger it may effect its escape 

 without appearing on land. In fine weather, especially in the 

 morning and evening, it may often be seen sitting at the mouth 

 of its hole, nibbling the grass or roots there ; but in the middle 

 of the day it usually remains underground. It feeds entirely 

 on vegetable substances, chiefly roots, and has been known to 

 deposit a store even of potatoes for winter use ; for it does not 

 appear to become torpid in the cold season, although in time 

 of snow it does not come abroad. Five or six young are 

 produced early in summer, and deposited in a nest composed 

 of dry grass and other vegetable matter." 



Although generally found close to water, this Rodent occa- 

 sionally wanders some distance away, and may make its burrow 



