206 RAT 



RANGER (see Doo). 



RAT. — Dubh-radan (sable); Gallach, gall-luch, garbh-luch, 

 garlach, garluch, gearraidh-luch ; Luch-fhrangach ; Radan^ rodan. 



Black-rat, brown-rat; Muggleton (nursery name); On-beast; 

 Rad (A. S.), ralurus (Lat.), raton (A. N.), ratton, raut, rawt, rot 

 (Chesh.) ; Sable (black), surmullet (brown — Norway) ; Water- 

 rat or vole. 



Supposed from "rad," to scratch, but more likely from "rodo" 

 (Lat.), I gnaw. 



The Celt is as familiar — almost — as the Saxon with this 

 scavenger scourge, for if it has to be admitted that he is the first, 

 he is, by far more, the latter. The rat is also one of the animals 

 which evil-disposed witches appeared to assume the shape of, and 

 is consequently held in utter detestation. The brown rat, as is 

 well known, now monopolises our country, the black rat having 

 been the pet pest in Scotland at least from the fourteenth to the 

 nineteenth century, and for this, inter alia, we have to thank the 

 Hanoverian. Like them, they have come to stay, and are far 

 more objectionable and filthy than the black, which they have 

 almost, if not quite, extirpated. Being sucli dangerous pests, it 

 would be strange if our famous fighting forefathers had not 

 waged war upon them by all means available, if not by book, 

 bell, and candle, they resorted to what was equally efficacious — 

 in addition to all available physical appliances — viz., charms, 

 incantations, and spells. In regard to the latter, when used, they 

 had to be composed ex tempore, as was done, for instance, 

 by Iain Pholchrain at Island Calve, Tobermory. The following 

 must take first place, not only for its own merits, but as being 

 given to the world by our dear departed friend " Nether Lochaber " ; 

 it is a Lismore spell. 



AOR NAN RADAN. 



Mile marbhaisg ort, a radain ! 



A shlaideare nam badan arbhair ; 



Cha leor leat sop ach an Ian sguab dheth 



D'fhfag thu 'm bualadh dhomh neo tharbhach. 



Rinn thu gradan de 'm chuid eorna, 



A mheirlich gur mor do chail dheth ; 



Na 'n robh do cheann agam air innean 



'S mise nach tilleadh mo lamh dhiot ! 



Cha d'fhag thu mulan anns an iolainn, 

 Nach do mhill thu 's nach do mhab thu 

 Cha d' fhag thu poca 'san t 'sabhal 

 Nach do tholl thu 's nach do shlaid thu ; 

 Mo thruaighe mi aig am 'cuir coirce 

 An t' seann lair dhonn bi boohd da-rireamh ; 

 Mhic an Radain 's mor do pheacadh. 

 Mar a chreach thu de gach ni mi ! 



