258 THE WATER RAT. 



Notwithstanding the circumstance of its toes be- 

 ing unconnected by webs, and thus differing from 

 those of most other animals which seek their food 

 in the water, this Rat riot only swims on the sur- 

 face, but under it, with singular facility. It is 

 also able to continue, for a great length of time, 

 submersed, without coming to the surface to 

 breathe. 



Its general enemies seem to be the larger and 

 more voracious species of fish, and particularly 

 the pike, in the stomach of which it has often 

 been found. Dogs also pursue it with great eager- 

 ness. It is a savage animal; and, when laid hold of, 

 will bite with great keenness and ferocity. 



The females usually litter in the month of April, 

 producing six or eight young ones at a birth. It 

 is probable that they may procreate more than 

 once in the year; but this has not yet been ascer- 

 tained. At some particular seasons they have a 

 strong musky odour. 



The flesh of the Water Rats is held* in. high 

 esteem by the inhabitants of several parts of the 

 Russian empire, as an article of food; and in all 

 Roman Catholic countries it is allowed to be eaten 

 during lent. 



This animal, in Wales, is called llygoden y dwft : 

 in France, rat cVeau : in Italy, sorgo morgange : in 



Spain 



