THE MOUSE. 161 



Wherever they pass, they destroy every trace of vegetation, 

 and when subsistence fails, they are said to divide into two dif- 

 ferent armies, which engage with the most deadly hostility, and 

 continue fighting and devouring each other, till they are all en- 

 tirely destroyed : such myriads of them have been found lying 

 dead, that the air has been infected, and sometimes caused ma- 

 lignant distempers: numbers of them are also destroyed by 

 foxes, weasels, &c. which follow them in their march, so that 

 from what place soever they come, none ever return from their 

 migrations. Contemplating the singular history of this animal, 

 we would ask, whether the God of Nature be not wonderful in 

 his works ? 



THE MOUSE 



Is an animal which is diffused throughout almost every part of 

 the world : it seems to be a constant attendant on man, and is 

 seldom found but near his dwelling. When viewed without that 

 prejudice which most people entertain against this creature, it is 

 a pretty little animal. In its general formation, as well as its 

 colour, it resembles a rat, but without that aspect of ferocity by 

 which the latter is distinguished. Its skin is sleek and soft, its 

 eyes lively, all its limbs are formed with delicacy, and its motions 

 are quick and active. In this animal, as well as in the rat, the 

 long naked tail has the most disgusting appearance. 



The mouse produces young several times in the year, and has 

 generally ten or a dozen at a litter ; and in fifteen days, the young 

 ones are able to provide for themselves. Aristotle says, that 

 having shut up a mouse big with young, in a vessel, and provided 

 plenty of grain for their support, he found shortly after a hun- 

 dred and twenty mice, all produced from this maternal stock. 

 Indeed, as the enemies of this animal are numerous and formi- 

 dable, nothing but this amazing fecundity can save it from utter 

 extinction. 



In contemplating the prolific nature of these diminutive ani- 

 mals, the mouse and the rat, some reflections on the wonderful 

 plan of creative wisdom, readily occur to our mind. These 

 we have already suggested in the general view of the animal 

 world, and future observations will often recall them to consider 

 ation. We have already observed, that mankind use every art, 

 and contrive every possible method for the extirpation of the rat 

 and the mouse, and that not only the cat but every animal of the 

 weasel kind, as well as a multitude of others, are their implaca- 

 ble enemies, persecute them with unceasing hostility, and com- 

 bine with man for their destruction. Infinite wisdom, however, 

 has, in bestowing on these creatures an extraordinary fecundity, 

 counteracted all the efforts used for their extermination. Their 



O 2 



