218 Coco-nuts The Consols of the East 



strips of tin, something like an open parasol or 

 small umbrella, are nailed round the tree trunks 

 in such a fashion that the lower rim, which is 

 " vandyked," stands out away from the trees so 

 that when the rats run up the tree the project- 

 ing spikes and saucer-shaped roof effectually 

 prevent further ascent. To fasten these rat 

 tins round a large number of trees is, however, 

 a tedious and costly job, and in localities near 

 the sea the tin has to be renewed frequently 

 owing to the action of the saline air corroding 

 the tin, so that as the girth of the trees increases 

 they burst and fall off. 



A broad ring of coal-tar smeared around the 

 trunks is also a good temporary preventive, 

 whilst rat virus and the various other poisons 

 can be used with profit. 



The introduction of the mongoose is to be 

 recommended where there are no serious con- 

 siderations of preserving eggs and poultry, for 

 if these considerations count, the mongoose is 

 impossible, as where poultry and eggs are, 

 there the mongoose must also be, nothing can 

 keep him away until the mongoose alone 

 remains. Otherwise this animal has so far 

 proved the most implacable foe of the rat, 

 and will seek him out and destroy him just 

 for the sport of it ; but like the rabbit in 

 Australia, the mongoose may prove more 

 bother than profit. 



Flying foxes and large bats, where they 

 abound, are a source of trouble sometimes, but 



