242 BLACK RAT. 



to every individual of its species ; the Rats, in place 

 of assisting each other, and dividing their booty in 

 peace, according to their wants, occupy themselves 

 in mutilating, robbing, and devouring one another." 

 He continues in the same strain, presenting a most 

 alarming picture of the ravages of this little creature, 

 which certainly owes no debt of gratitude to the 

 loquacious and exaggerating Count. Rats are bad 

 enough naturally, to render it unnecessary to en- 

 hance their evil qualities. Whatever in them is 

 most displeasing to us, however, is found in still 

 greater perfection in the species which comes next 

 to be described. 



