556 THE MOUSE. 
It is a curious fact that the Rats were all found lying dead in cireles round the braziers, 
heaped thickly upon each other’s bodies. They had instinctively run towards the spots 
which were comparatively free from vapour, as the heat of the burning coals forced the 
suffocating smoke to rise from the spot where it was generated. 
The Buack Rar derives it name from the colour of its fur, which is of a greyish-black, 
instead of the reddish-brown hue which tinges the coat of the brown Rat. The upper jaw 
projects considerably beyond the lower, and a number of long stiff hairs project through 
the ordinary fur. In size it is rather less than the above- mentioned animal, and the ears 
and tail are rather longer in proportion. 
The Black Rat is found in all warm and temperate regions, and in England was in 
former days extremely numerous, although it has now been gradually driven away from 
its domains by the larger and more powerful intruder. It is not, however, so rare as is 
sometimes imagined, and may still be found by those who know where to look for it. 
According to Mr. Rodwell’s theory, the manner in which the brown Rat has supplanted 
its black relation is not by war, but by love, the stronger males of the brown hue 
BLACK RAT.—Mus Rattus. 
carrying off the black females by force of superior strength, and thus by degrees merging 
the weaker black race into the powerful brown Rats. In France the two varieties—for the 
distinction of species really seems to be but doubtful—live together in perfect harmony, 
mixing freely with each other, and producing a curious kind of parti-coloured offspring. 
The skins of these brown-black Rats are considered to be of some value, and they 
are accordingly pursued by the rat-catchers for the purpose of sale to the furriers. Even 
the brown Rat is not without its value in commerce, as the prepared skin is said 
to furnish the most delicate leather for the manufacture of the thumbs of the best 
kid gloves ; and the fur is used as a substitute for beaver in the composition of hats. 
Albino, or White Rats, are of no very uncommon occurrence ; and when crossed with 
the black or browi.species, their offspring is curiously pied with a darker or lighter hue, 
according to the colour of the parent. 
“Y® little vulgar Movusg,” as it is quaintly termed by old Topsel, is a truly pretty 
little anes with its brown- erey back, grey throat and abdomen, soft, velvety fur, its 
little bright black bead-like eyes, and squirrel-like paws. A detailed description of so 
familiar an animal would be quite unnecessary, and we will therefore proceed to its habits 
and manners. 
