174 ANIMALS OF THE 



CHAPTER IV. 



ANIMALS OF THE RAT KIND. 



WERE it necessary to distinguish animals of the 

 rat kind from all others, we might describe them 

 as having two large cutting teeth, like the hare 

 kind, in each jaw ; as covered with hair ; and as 

 not ruminating.* These distinctions might serve 

 to guide us, had we not too near an acquaintance 

 with this noxious race to be mistaken in their 

 kind. Their numbers, their minuteness, their 

 vicinity, their vast multiplication, all sufficiently 

 contribute to press them upon our observation, 

 and remind us of their existence. Indeed, if we 

 look through the different ranks of animals, from 

 the largest to the smallest, from the great ele- 

 phant to the diminutive mouse, we shall find that 

 we suffer greater injuries from the contemptible 

 meanness of the one, than the formidable inva- 

 sions of the other. Against the elephant, the 

 rhinoceros, or the lion, we can oppose united 

 strength, and by art make up the deficiencies of 

 natural power : these we have driven into their 

 native solitudes, and obliged to continue at a 

 distance, in the most inconvenient regions and 

 unhealthful climates. But it is otherwise with 

 the little teasing race I am now describing : no 



[* These animals have the upper fore-teeth wedge-shaped ; three grinders, 

 sometimes (though rarely) only two, on each side of the jaws ; and the collar- 

 bones complete.] 



