THE 



RIVER-SIDE NATURALIST 



CHAPTER I. 

 THE QUADRUPEDS. 



THE WATER-VOLE. 



AMONGST the quadrupeds the first we shall notice is what 

 is commonly called the WATER-RAT, but which is no rat at 

 all, as it belongs to a totally different family, although of 

 the same natural order (the rodents). Its proper designa- 

 tion is the WATER-VOLE, of the family Arvicolidce, whilst 

 the rat is of the family Muridce. The vole was formerly 

 considered to be an aberrant form of the beaver family, 

 but through the researches of Mr. Waterhouse it is 

 now placed between the American musk-rat and the 

 lemmings. 



This interesting little animal is, we believe, a pure 

 vegetarian, although Professor Huxley (The Crayfish, p. 9), 

 states that it is extremely partial to this crustacean as an 



