ANIMAF.a. 32D 



timej' and usually bring forth three times a-year. This great 

 iiu-rease would quickly be found to overrun the whole country, 

 and render our assiduity to destroy them fruitless, were it not, 

 lia|)pily for us, that they eat and destroy each other. The same 

 insatiable appetite that impels them to indiscriminate carnage, 

 also incites the strongest to devour the weakest, even of their 

 own kind. The large male rat generally keeps in a hole by it- 

 self, and is as dreaded by its own species, as the most formidable 

 enemy. In this manner the number of these vermin is kept 

 within due bounds ; and when their increase becomes injurious 

 to us, it is repressed by their own rapacity. 



But beside their own enmities among each other, all the 

 stronger carnivorous quadrupeds have natural antipathies against 

 them. The dog, though he detests their flesh, yet openly de- 

 clares his alacrity to pursue them ; and attacks them with great 

 animosity. Such as are trained up to killing these vermin, des- 

 patch them often with a single squeeze : but those dogs that 

 show any hesitation, are sure to come off but indifl!erently ; for 

 the rat always takes the advantage of a moment's delay, and, in- 

 stead of waiting for the attack, becomes the aggressor, seizing 

 its pursuer by the lip, and inflicting a very painful and dangerous 

 wound. From the inflammation, and other angry symptoms 

 that attend this animal's bite, some have been led to think that 

 it was in some measure venomous; but it is likely that the 

 difficulty of the wound's healing, arises merely from its being 

 deep, and lacerated by the teeth, and is rather a consequence ot 

 the figure of the instruments that inflict it, than any venom they 

 may be supposed to possess. 



The cat is another formidable enemy of this kind ; and yet 

 the generality of our cats neither care to attack it, nor to feed 

 upon it when killed. The cat is a more prudent hunter than 

 the dog, and will not be at the pains to take or combat with an 

 enemy that is not likely to repay her time and danger. Some 

 cats, however, will pursue and take the rat ; though often not 

 without an obstinate resistance. If hungry, the cat will some- 

 times eat the head ; but, in general, she is content merely with 

 her victory, 



A foe much more dangerous to these vermin is the weasel. 

 This animal pursues them with avidity, and being pretty nearly 

 1 Buffoii, vol. x\ ii. p 2. 



2e3 



