94 ANIMAL EEPUTATION. 



of the donkey as regards its relationship to the mule leads it 

 to dangerous obtrusiveness on its proud relative (Wood). 



The rat is universally denounced as mere vermin, to be 

 ruthlessly exterminated by all possible means terriers, 

 ferrets, or poison. It is known, moreover, as an incorrigible 

 thief and hoarder of stolen goods. But no credit is given to 

 it for its undoubted good qualities. Rats, however, show a 

 ' thoughtful tenderness for each other that may well put 

 Christians to the blush,' says the ' Christian Union/ an 

 American newspaper, that vouches for the truth of the 

 following incident, quoted in the * Animal World:' A young 

 rat had fallen into a pail of pig- food. Six older ones held 

 a consultation so earnest in its character as to lead them 

 to ignore the presence of human onlookers. They decided 

 on an ingenious scheme of rescue, and successfully carried 

 it out. Entwining their legs together, they formed a chain 

 hanging downwards over the edge of the pail. The fore- 

 most or downmost rat grasped the drowning and, as it 

 subsequently proved, drowned young one in its fore paws, 

 and both rescued and rescuer were then drawn up and out. 

 When found to be dead, the rescuers gazed at their young 

 comrade in ' mute despair .... wiped the tears from 

 their eyes with their fore paws, and departed without making 

 any attempts to resuscitate it.' 



There is apparently no good ground for belief in the 

 alleged malignity of reptiles (Baird). That the ' venomous- 

 ness,' figurative or literal, the torpor, mental and bodily, 

 the non-intelligence or stupidity, or the absence of affec- 

 tion, of snakes (or serpents) do not hold good in the case of 

 many of them is proved by the account given by Buck! and 

 of the tame snakes of Chelsea, that some years ago created 

 such a sensation in the London newspapers. He pointed 

 out that, so far from being dangerous, the animals in ques- 

 tion were amiable, innocent, amusing house pets ; and he 

 properly drew attention to this illustration of what kindness 

 can do in the domestication of the most unlikely animals. 

 Like so many other animals, they act on the offensive only 

 when frightened, threatened, or provoked ; and if and when 

 they are dangerous to man, he himself is too frequently to 

 blame for the injury inflicted. 



