

MAMMALIA. 185 



their ancestors brought the dog with them when they first peopled 

 New Zealand. Is it not probable, from the Spanish name, that the 

 dog was brought to them by navigators of that nation before the 

 time of Tasman ? "Dieffenbach. 



15. The Rat. Mus Rattus, Linn. ? 



" Called Kiore by the natives ; said to have been introduced at an 

 early period by European vessels." Polack. It would be interest- 

 ing to see whether it is the European, the Indian, or the New Hol- 

 land rat that has been introduced, or if there may not be more 

 than one kind. 



" There exists a frugiferous native rat, called Kiore maori (in- 

 digenous rat) by the natives, which they distinguish from the 

 English rat (not the Norway rat), which is introduced, and called 

 Kiore Pakea (strange rat). On the former they fed very largely 

 in former times; but it has now become so scarce, owing to 

 the extermination carried on against it by the European rat, 

 that I could never obtain one. A few, however, are still found in 

 the interior, viz. at Rotu rua, where they have been seen by the 

 Rev. Mr. Chapman, who described them as being much smaller 

 than the Norway rat. The natives never eat the latter. It is a 

 favourite theme with them to speculate on their own extermination 

 by the Europeans, in the same manner as the English rat has 

 exterminated their indigenous rat." Diej/fenbach. 



16. The Mouse. Mus Musculus, Linn.? 



" The common domestic mouse of Europe has also been intro- 

 duced." Dieffenbach . 



Besides these the Colonists have purposely introduced 

 The common Cat. Felis Dornestica ; called Picheki 

 by the natives. Polack. Dieffenbach. 



" The cat often runs wild, and is another cause of the exter- 

 mination of indigenous animals. It is remarkable to observe that 

 these wild cats soon resume the streaky grey colour of the common 

 wild cat." Dieffenbach. 



The Pig. Sus Scropha, Linn. ; called Puorka by the 



natives. Poaka, Dieffenbach. 

 The Horse. Equus caballus, Linn. 

 The Ass. Asinus vulgariv. 

 The Sheep. Ovis aries, Linn. ; but they are much 



hunted down by the native dog. 

 The Ox. Bos Taurus, Linn. 



