Ground Vermin The Patent Break-back Rat Trap. 305 



employed anywhere, at any time, and its use in nearly 

 all the situations appearing most adapted to it will pro- 

 bably, or rather, certainly, be marked by its great efficacy 

 as concerns the capture of stoats and weasels, besides 

 polecats. 



Another trap that may be brought into use for the 

 purposes under consideration is what is known by the 

 rather imposing title of " The Patent Break-Back Rat 

 Trap." The smallness of the make, however, precludes 

 its employment except for weasels, but if a handy iron- 

 monger happens to be in the neighbourhood, he will pro- 

 bably be able to turn out a dozen rather larger upon the 

 same principle, and if practical instructions be given him, 

 with such differences as to improve the trap for the pur- 

 poses for which it is required. Often in country towns, 

 under the name of ironmongers, there are men far superior 

 to the London men of this trade, and their cleverness in 

 turning out little things like this is certainly much to their 

 credit compared with the ignorance some display in the 

 metropolis. When the " break-back " is used it must 

 be covered over upon the top and hidden as much as 

 possible, but let us advise great caution when doing this 

 after setting it, for it is an uncomfortably sharp article 

 in its action. The situations for it do not vary from those 

 of the gin, but we shall again call attention to it for use 

 in spots other than those indicated here. 



Its action is something like that of the High Elms 

 trap, but instead of the cover falling, a spring wire 

 raised to the lid is held there in suspension by a sort of 

 trigger, which is released by the vermin touching the bait, 



