/r, 



The Mouse. 99 



n*. 



THE MOUSE. (Mm musculus.) 



THIS is a lively, active animal, and the most timid in na- 

 ture, except the hare, and a few other defenceless species. 

 Although timid, he eats in the trap as soon as he is 

 caught ; yet he never can be thoroughly tamed, nor does 

 he hetray any affection for his assiduous keeper. He is 

 beset by a number of enemies, among which are the cat, 

 the hawk, and owl, the snake, and weasel, and the rat 

 himself, though not unlike the mouse in his habits and 

 shape. The mouse is one of the most prolific of animals, 

 sometimes producing seventeen at a birth ; but it is sup- 

 posed that the life of this small inmate of our habitations 

 does not extend much further than three years. This 

 creature is known all over the world, and breeds wher- 

 ever it finds food and tranquillity. There are Mice of 

 various colours, but the most common kind is of a dark, 

 cinereous hue : white mice are not uncommon, particu- 

 larly in Savoy and some parts of France. 



A remarkable instance of sagacity in a long-tailed 

 Field Mouse (Mus sijlvaticus) occurred to the Rev. Mr. 

 White, as his people were pulling off the lining of a hot- 

 bed, in order to add some fresh dung. From the side of 

 this bed something leaped with great agility, that made 

 a most grotesque appearance, and was not caught with- 

 out much difficulty. It proved to be a large Field Mouse, 

 with three or four young ones clinging to her teats by 

 their mouths and feet. It was amazing that the various 



