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 MCUSEI 
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, which, 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 ata time; and this provision, 
instead of being proportioned to the wants 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 for a habitation for itself and its young ones, and the other 
for a granary. The only method of -preventing their ravages, which has 
appeared eifectual, 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 
tnan a roasted nut laid under a flat stone, which is to be supported by a 
small bit of wood. This they wili eagerly attempt to seize; and, being 
fixed to the 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. 
—— 
1 Arvicola vulgaris, Desm. 
