The Common Mouse.] OF ORKNEY. . 27 



ties in some years than others, is incontestable, and that in 

 places where bear has been sown, but this is no reason to 

 conclude the bear to be changed into it. It is certain that 

 some seeds will keep their vegetative powers for a number of 

 years ; might it not then be supposed that the wild oats 

 which come up in a cold season have been dormant, and 

 such a season not permitting the bear to come up, they being 

 more hardy have succeeded in its place. This, I should think, 

 a more natural way of arguing, and hinders us from being 

 obliged to have recourse to miracles, where there is no need 

 of any. 



Perhaps there are some who may think these observations 

 trivial, perhaps they are so, but if they do nothing else they 

 shew the simplicity of the manners amongst us, and into 

 what absurdities human nature will run, when not more or 

 less enlightened by philosophy. 



I have seen in Orkney a mouse skin prettily mottled with 

 white and dusky, but never any entirely white*. 



* Since writing the above, I received from a neighbouring clergyman an en- 

 tirely white mouse, which was caught in summer in a stable. 



