THE RAT. 199 



Observations. 



CHAP. V. 



" While the rat is on the scout 

 And the mouse with curious snout, 

 With what vermin else infest 

 Ev'ry dish, and spoil the best ; 

 Frisking thus before the fire, 

 Thou hast all thine heart's desire," 



ADDEESS TO THE CRICKET.) 



THE RAT, 



IT has been justly observed of this quadruped, 

 that, notwithstanding its weak and contemptible 

 appearance, it possesses properties which render 

 it a more formidable enemy to mankind than 

 even those animals which are endued with the 

 greatest strength, and most rapacious dispo- 

 sitions. 



There are two kinds of these animals known 

 in Great Britain ; the black rat, which was for- 

 merly universally diffused, and the brown or 

 Norwegian rat; which has greatly diminished 

 the number of the others ; but has itself multi- 



VOL. ii. NO. xii. 2 e 



