244 NATURAL HISTORY. 



tiplied beyond Sweden ; and those which arc called 

 Norwegian and Lapland rats, are animals different 

 from ours. 



THE MOUSE. 



THE mouse is an animal smaller than the rat. Its 

 instinct, its temperament, its disposition is the same ; 

 nor does it materially differ from the rat, but by its 

 weakness, and the habits which it contracts from that 

 circumstance. By nature timid, by necessity familiar, 

 Its fears and its wants are the sole springs of its ac- 

 tions. It never leaves its hiding-place but to seek for 

 food ; nor does it, like the rat, migrate from one 

 house to another, unless compelled by necessity. Its 

 manners are milder ; and, to a certain degree it may be 

 tamed. It is, however, utterly incapable of attachment. 



If it were not its immense fecundity, the species of 

 the mouse could not subsist. Even in mouse-traps I 

 have known them to bring forth. They produce at 

 all seasons, and several times in the year. Their usual 

 number at a birth is five or six, which, in less than 

 fifteen days attain strength sufficient to shift for them- 



