HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 



421 



THE RAT. 



(Mus Rattus, Linn. Le Rat, Buff.) 



THOUGH small, weak, and contemptible in its 

 appearance, possesses properties which render it 

 a more formidable enemy to mankind, and more 

 injurious to the interests of society, than even those 

 animals that are endued with the greatest strength 

 and most rapacious dispositions. To the one we 

 can oppose united powers and superior arts ; with 

 regard to the other, experience has convinced us, 

 that no art can counteract the effects of its amazing- 

 fecundity, and that force is, ineffectually opposed to 

 an enemy possessed of such variety of means to 

 elude it. 



There are two kinds known in this country the 

 Black Rat, which was formerly universal here, but 

 is now very rarely seen, having" been almost extir- 

 pated by the large brown kind, generally dis- 

 tinguished by the name of the NORWAY RAT. 

 This formidable invader is now universally, diffused 

 through the whole country ; from whence every 

 method has been tried in vain to exterminate it. 

 It is about nine inches long; of a light brown 



