?>-2l ])1VISI(>X I. VKUTEBRAL ANIMALS. — CLASS I. MAMMALLV. 



The blnck rat. is an ncti\c, lively, most eleaiily, and beaiitiful little qnad- 

 riiped. Its elDHgated muzzle, however, and its hare, rope-like, scaly tail, 

 detract from its beauty. It is naturally phyto[)haguus, feeding chiefly on 

 herbs and seeds, but in consequence of its preferring the vicinity of man, it 

 iinds it necessary to adopt an extended regimen, and convert into chyle 

 whatever cscajleuts come in its way, so that it is scarcely less omnivorous 

 than its unwilling patron. Unless in places where it is not liable to moles- 

 tation, it feeds by night, remaining concealed Ijy day in its biuTows or ruins. 

 It produces six or eight at a birth, and litters several times in the year, de- 

 positing its blind and naked young in a uost com[>osed of dry grass, or any 

 soft materials easily produced. 



It is belie\ed to ha\e been originally imported from the continent into 

 England, where it first made its appearance in the beginning of the sixteenth 

 ccnturv, and is sujiposed to have come from the east. Vessels in port were 

 ibrmcrly l;al)le to be infested iiy it, so that it soon became as common in 

 America as in I^uropio ; although in the maritime parts of tiiis country it has 

 now become nearly as scarce as in Europe, and probably from the same 

 cause — tlie predominance of the more entci'prising and stronger brown rat. 

 "In feeding, this species holds the object, if small, between its fore feet, sits 

 on its haunches, with the body bent forward, and the back arched, while its 

 tail is cur\fd along the ground. It runs with great agility, and exhibits 

 mucli liveliness in its actions. It is remarkably cdcanly, taking care to 

 remove whate\er may haj)pcn to adhere to its fur, i'eet, or head; and, al- 

 though occasionally quarrelsome, it for the most part lives a peacel'id life 

 in its own comnumity. In alfcctionate concern fm- its young, it is not sur- 

 passed by any other animal ; and were it not an unwelcome guest in (jur 

 dwellings and stm-cs, Imt confined itself to the wo<ids and pastures, we 

 should ph'.ce it among the most interesting of oiu' quadrupeds. Its vorai'ity, 

 liowe\er, the ravages it makes among our corn and [irovisions, and its pro- 

 lificacy, render it hateful." 



JIks Decinii'nixs. — The Brown IJat. This is the unwelcome animal that 

 ijifcsts our dwellings, gnawing its way through floors, doors, and boxes in 

 search of food, and often gnawing, and occasioning great annoyance thereby, 

 merely from the simple pleasure of gnawing, or, it may be, from the ne- 

 cessity of keeping its teeth worn doun. The native region of this rat is not 

 certainly known. It is now numerous in all maritime countries. It is the 

 largest species of the genus, being often nineteen inches in length, including 

 the tail. The ears are about a. third of the length of the head, and tlie tail 

 is proportionally shorter than that of tin black rat. Its color is grayish- 

 brown abox'c, and grayish-white beneath. 



It resembles the former species in form and habits. It dwells in drains 



