THE WATER-VOLE. 19 



covered remains, the total weight of the salmon could 

 not be estimated at less than fifty pounds ; the otter 

 having, therefore, in one single meal devoured some 

 twenty-five pounds of fish-flesh/' "J.," in Land and 

 Water, Nov. 9, 1878. 



The only aquatic example of the order Rodentia in 

 Britain is the Arvicola amphibius. Water-vole or Water- 

 rat, a familiar animal in most country places in the 



WATER-RAT. 



vicinity of water. The Voles are less elongated 

 than the Rats and Mice properly speaking, and 

 have broader heads, shorter ears and tails, and 

 are, in my opinion, more attractive. The body of 

 the brown Water-vole, which is usually called the 

 Water-rat, is rather stout, and the neck and head are 

 short ; the latter is round and convex on the top ; 

 c 2 



