■232 ' MAMMALIA— MOUSE. 



Catholic countries, the peasants eat it during Lent, as they do that of the 

 otter. This species is to be found throughout Europe, the very extremities 

 of the north excepted. In Holland it is devoted to destruction, as one of the 

 most dangerous enemies of the country, in consequence of its burrowing in 

 the dikes. 



THE FIELD MOUSEi 



Is smaller than the rat, but larger than the common mouse, and does not 

 live in houses. It is remarkable for the largeness and prominence of its 

 eyes ; it differs likewise both from the rat and the mouse in the color of its 

 skin, Avhich, while it is tolerably white under the belly, is of a reddish 

 brown upon the back. The species is generally and abundantly diffused. 



It appears that they are a long time in attaining their full growth, as they 

 vary considerably in size. The largest are rather more than four inches in 

 length, from the tip of the nose to the insertion of the tail ; and the smallest, 

 which appear to be full grown as well as the others, are an inch shorter. 

 As there are found many of different intermediate sizes, however, there is 

 no room to doubt but that the larger and the smaller are all of the same 

 species. 



These creatures are fond of dry and elevated grounds. In woods, and in 

 the fields adjoining to them, they are to be found in great numbers. They 

 conceal themselves in holes, which they either find already made, or which 

 they make for themselves, under bushes, or the trunks of hollow trees. In 

 these they amass so prodigious a quantity of acorns, nuts, &c., that in one 

 single hole there has been found a bushel at a time ; and this provision, 

 instead of being proportioned to the Avants of the animal, is only so to the 

 capacity of the place allotted for its reception. These holes are generally 

 more than a foot under ground, and often divided into two cells, of which 

 the one serves fora habitation for itself and its young ones, and the other 

 for a granary. The only method of preventing their ravages, which has 

 appeared effectual, is that of setting traps at every tenth pace, through the 

 whole extent of each piece of new sown land. There wants no other bait 

 than a roasted nut laid under a flat stone, which is to be supported by a 

 small bit of wood. This they will eagerly attempt to seize; and, being 

 fixed to tlie wood, no sooner do they touch it, than the stone falls upon 

 them, and stifles or crushes them to death. 



The short tailed field mouse, is more generally diffused than the long 

 tailed kind, and is found almost every where ; in woods, in meadows, and 

 even in gardens. 



' Arvicola vulgaris, Desm. 



