RAT KIND. 181 



lar to those of the rat, except with fewer powers 

 of doing mischief.* Fearful by nature, but fa- 

 miliar from necessity, it attends upon mankind, 

 and comes an unbidden guest to his most delicate 

 entertainments. Fear and necessity seem to re- 

 gulate all its motions ; it never leaves its hole but 

 to seek provision, and seldom ventures above a 

 few paces from home. Different from the rat, it 

 does not go from one house to another, unless it 

 be forced ; and, as it is more easily satisfied, it 

 does much less mischief. 



Almost all animals are tamed more difficultly in 

 proportion to the cowardice of their natures. The 

 truly bold and courageous easily become familiar, 

 but those that are always fearful are ever suspi- 

 cious. The mouse being the most feeble, and con- 

 sequently the most timid of all quadrupeds, ex- 

 cept the guinea-pig, is never rendered thoroughly 

 familiar ; and, even though fed in a cage, retains 

 its natural apprehensions. In fact, it is to these 

 alone that it owes hVsecurity.t No animal has 

 more enemies, and few so incapable of resistance. 

 The owl, the cat, the snake, the hawk, the weasel, 

 the rat itself, destroys this species by millions, and 

 it only subsists by its amazing fecundity. 



The mouse brings forth at all seasons, and seve- 

 ral times in the year. Its usual number is from 

 six to ten. These in less than a fortnight are 

 strong enough to run about and shift for them- 

 selves. They are chiefly found in farmer's yards, 

 and among their corn, but are seldom in those 



* Buffon, vol. xv. p. 145. 



f E volucribus hirundincs sunt indociles, e terrcstribus mures. PMN. 



