MAMMALIA 



233 



The traps, poisons and other methods of destroying rats are number- 

 less, and many of them are very effective; but here, as in other things, 

 "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure," and it is far better 



to prevent the breeding of rats or to keep them out of mischief than it is 

 to destroy them after they have begun to be a serious menace. 



There are at least two good reasons for protecting food from rats: 



