TJie Eat 101 



that it is almost impossible to destroy the breed, when 

 they have once taken a liking to any particular place. 

 Their produce is enormous, as they have from ten to 

 twenty young ones at a litter, and this thrice a year. 

 Thus their increase is such, that it is possible for a single 

 pair (supposing food to be sufficiently plentiful, and that 

 they had no enemies to lessen their numbers) to amount 

 at the end of two years to upwards of a million ; but an 

 insatiable appetite impels them to destroy each other ; 

 the weaker always fall a prey to the stronger ; and the 

 large male Eat, which usually lives by itself, is dreaded 

 by those of its own species as their most formidable 

 enemy. The Rat is a bold and fierce little animal, and 

 when closely pursued, will turn and fasten on its assailant. 

 Its bite is keen, and the wound it inflicts is painful and 

 difficult to heal, owing to the form of its teeth, which 

 are long, sharp, and of an irregular form. 



It digs with great facility and vigour, making its way 

 with rapidity beneath the floors of our houses, between 

 the stones and bricks of walls, and often excavating the 

 foundations of a dwelling to a dangerous extent. There 

 are many instances of their totally undermining the most 

 solid mason-work, or burrowing through dams which 

 had for ages served to confine the waters of rivers and 

 canals. 



A gentleman, some time ago, travelling through Meck- 

 lenburgh, was witness to a very singular circumstance 

 respecting one of these animals, in the post-house at New 

 Hargarel. After dinner, the landlord placed on the floor 

 a large dish of soup, and gave a loud whistle. Imme- 

 diately there came into the room a mas tin , an Angora 

 cat, an old raven, and a large Rat with a bell about its 

 neck. They all four went to the dish, and without 

 disturbing each other, fed together ; after which, the dog, 

 cat, and Rat lay before the fire, while the raven hopped 

 about the room. The landlord, after accounting for the 

 familiarity which existed among these animals, informed 

 his guest that the Rat was the most useful of the four ; 

 for that the noise he made had completely freed the 

 house from the Rats and mice with which it had been 

 before infested. 



