176 ANIMALS OF THE 



the tail is as long as the body, covered with 

 minute dusky scales mixed with a few hairs, and 

 adds to the general deformity of its detestable 

 figure. It is chiefly in the colour that this ani- 

 mal differs from the Black Rat, or the Common 

 Rat, as it was once called, but now common no 

 longer. This new invader, in a very few years 

 after its arrival, found means to destroy almost 

 the whole species, and to possess itself of their 

 retreats. 



But it was not against the black rat alone that 

 its rapacity was directed j all other animals of in- 

 ferior strength shared the same misfortunes. The 

 contest with the black rat was of short continu- 

 ance. As it was unable to contend, and had no 

 holes to fly to for retreat, but where its voracious 

 enemy could pursue, the whole race was soon 

 extinguished. The frog also was an animal 

 equally incapable of combat or defence. It had 

 been designedly introduced into the kingdom of 

 Ireland some years before the Norway rat ; and 

 it was seen to multiply amazingly. The inhabi- 

 tants were pleased with the propagation of a 

 harmless animal, that served to rid their fields of 

 insects ; and even the prejudices of the people 

 were in its favour, as they supposed that the frog 

 contributed to render their waters more whole- 

 some. But the Norway rat soon put a stop to 

 their increase : as these animals were of an am- 

 phibious nature, they pursued the frog to its 

 lakes, and took it even in its own natural ele- 

 ment. I am, therefore, assured, that the frog is 

 once more almost extinct in that kingdom ; and 



