THE COMMON MOUSE. 26 1 



and set it at liberty. It is almost needless to say, 

 that it -never again visited its prison. This little 

 anecdote proves, that, notwithstanding the naturally 

 fearful disposition of these animals, their timidity 

 is to be overcome by hunger. 



From their weakness and small size, Mice have 

 more enemies than Rats. They are preyed upon 

 by Cats, Weesels, Rats, owls, and various other 

 animals; and men, by means of traps, &c. de- 

 stroy them in immense numbers. The root of 

 white hellebore and staves-acre, powdered and 

 mixed with meal, is a certain poison to them. 



The fecundity of these animals is immense, since 

 they breed several times in the year, and produce 

 at each litter from six to ten young ones, which, 

 in the course of fifteen days, become sufficiently 

 strong to procure food for themselves. 



A variety of the Common Mouse is sometimes 

 observed of a milk-white colour, with red eyes. 

 This is found not only in temperate climates, but 

 in both the northern and southern parts of the two 

 ' continents of Europe and America. In England it 

 sometimes, but very rarely, occurs. 



In Wales this little animal is called llygoden: in 



France, souris: in Italy, topo, sorice, sorgio di casa: 



in Spain, rat, raton: in Portugal, ratinho : in Ger- 



T 3 many, 



