32t') DIVISION I. VERTEBRAL ANIMALS. — CLASS I. MAMMALIA. 



Eut intercstin'T as these aiiiinals arc, their extraordinary fecundity and 

 ravai'in'T habits render them naturally objects of persecution, and eats, 

 i)oison, and traps arc employed to encompass their destruction. The mii'e 

 also have natural enemies, which help to diminish their numbers, as the 

 owls, hawks, and weasels. 



The domestic mouse belongs to all parts of the world, but ap])ears to be 

 cntireh' dependent on man, as it never occurs far from human haliitations. 



il/;(.s >S'y/r«//f((.'--. — The AVood ilouse. In form this species resembles 

 the former, but has a longer tail and livelier colors, being reddish-brown 

 aljove, and grayislj-white beneath, Avith a light yellowish-red spot on the 

 breast. It is of pleasing aspect, and easily tamed. It is extremely prolific, 

 and is verv injurious to coruliclds and gardens. It is fond of seeds of all 

 kinds, nuts, acorns, and insects, and lays up a winter store in its holes, 

 which it constructs in banks, under the roots of trees, and in the fields. 



JLis 3Ic.ssorhi'^. — The Harvest ilouse. This is a very small species, 

 and not less attractive in form and ai)i)carance than the foregoing. The 

 upper parts of the body are reddish-brown, the lower, white. It dwells iu 

 the fields, and lias habits very similar to the last. 



Tiic family of tiic Murida', or rats, is very extensive. It embraces the 

 genus Dipus, twelves species ; ]\Icrionis, two species, including the jerboas, 

 or jumping mice of jVfVica, Asia, and America, two specimens of wliicll are 

 well known, and the Ilehunys of the Cape of Good Hope. Of the rats 

 and mice proper, there are near a hundred sj)ecies. 



(ienus AuviC'OLA. — Tiic Voles. Clavicles perfect ; grinders, three above 

 and three below on each side; incisors very long, muzzle obtuse, tail 

 shorter than the body, round, and anmilatcd with scales, but hairy. They 

 resemble the rats. 



^1. Aiiipluhias. — Tiic "Water A'olc, or Water Rat. This species is about 

 twelve inches in length, including the tail. Its color is reddish-brown, 

 sprinkled with dark-brown hairs above, and pale yellowish-brown beneath. 

 It does not seek human dwelling-places, but delights in the banks of rivers, 

 brooks, mill-dams, canals, and pond^, where it firms its burrows with great 

 skill. It is fond of the water, swimming and diving with ease. Its burrow 

 has two entrances, one above and the other beneath the water, the latter of 

 which is intended as a means of access or retreat in ease of danger. " In 

 fine weather it may Ijc se.^n, especially in the morning and evening, sitting 

 at the mouth of its hole, nibbling the grass or roots there, but in the mid- 

 dle t)f tliC day it usually remains under ground. It feeds entirely on vege- 

 taliles, chielly roots, which it stores away fir winter use. Five or six young 

 arc produced early in summer, and deposited iu a nest composed of dried 

 grass, and other like substances. 



