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THE COMMON OR BLACK RAT*. 



THE present species, like the former, is believed 

 to have been originally brought into Europe, 

 though several centuries ago, from Persia or some 

 parts of India. Its numbers, however, of late years, 

 have been greatly diminished ; and from some 

 countries it has been almost extirpated, in con- 

 sequence of the prevalence and superior strength 

 of the Norway Rats. 



In their general manners and habits of life there 

 is a near alliance betwixt the two species ; but the 

 Black Rats, from their smaller size and inferior 

 powers of body, are capable of by no means so 

 much mischief as the others. By the change, there- 

 fore, of the Black for the Norway Rats, in this 

 country, instead of deriving a benefit, we have, in 

 many respects, been considerable sufferers. 



What is a very remarkable circumstance in these 

 Rats is, that they have a singular predisposition for 

 the stone. M. Morand, of Paris, fn minutely ex- 

 amining more than twenty Rats,, observed, that 



* Mus Eattus.LiniKEUs. Le Eat. Bujfon. 

 For the description of the Black Rat, see the Synopsis, p. 4J, 

 No. 25. 



above 



