THE NORWAY OR BROWN RAT. 25 1 



ception of a single one, and thus entirely cleared 

 the ship*. 



A large Rat is an exceedingly strong and power- 

 ful animal ; and it sometimes requires great cou- 

 rage and strength in a Cat to oppose and defeat one 

 of them. The Weesel, though smaller, is a more 

 dangerous enemy than the Cat, because it can fol- 

 low the Rats into their closest retreats. The com- 

 bat between these two creatures is often sharp and 

 long. Their manner of. fighting is very different; 

 and this gives the Weesel much the advantage. The 

 Rat can only wound by snatches, and with his fore- 

 teeth, which are more calculated for gnawing than 

 biting; whereas the Weesel bites fiercely with its 

 whole jaw, and instead of afterwards letting go, 

 like the Rat, it continues its hold, and sucks the 

 blood through the wound, till the Rat sinks ex- 

 hausted under its gripe. 



The males are said generally to be much larger, 

 more strong and mischievous, than the females. 

 When closely pursued, they have sometimes cou- 

 rage to turn upon the assailant, and seize the stick 

 or hand of the person who attempts to strike them. 

 Their bite is by many people thought to be poi- 

 sonous. M. de BufFon says, that it is generally fol- 

 lowed by a painful swelling, and that the wound, 

 though small, does not soon heal. 



-* Sonnini's Travels in Greece and Turkey, i. p. 140. 



During 



