60 



SKETCH OF THE HISTORY OF MAMMALIA. 



31. — Teeth of Common Mouse. 



stifFer quality than those composing the under-coat. All 

 these animals are of small size, yet many are among the 

 greatest pests to man. Although vegetable aliment, as 

 grain, peas, &c., forms their principal food, still to a 

 certain extent they are carnivorous. We knovv^ the 

 partiality of the mouse to cheese, butter, lard, tallow, 

 &c,, and of the brown rat to raw flesh. The stronger 

 and larger species often prey upon the smaller, and 

 in times of scarcity they will attack and devour each 



