426 THE RAT TRIBE. 



by some accident lost their mate, they will not readily 

 pair again. Whatever may be the causes, it has 

 been remarked, that they have invariably a black 

 mark on the skin of thc'r backs ; which is called a 

 saddle, and by which they are easily distinguished 

 from the others. 



Their morions on land are \ery slow ; and, being 

 timid animals, they are easily killed, though pos- 

 sessing teeth so sharp and strong as to enable them 

 to make a stout resistance. If they happen to be 

 met on a shore by a Man, they sit down, and cry 

 like a child *. 



THE RAT TRIBE. 



" THIS tribe contains all those animals which go 

 under the denomination of Murine Quadrupeds ; 

 and, although the term Rat has been adopted, it 

 includes not only the species that we know by the 

 peculiar name of Rats, but also the Mice, and 

 others called Beaver-rats. 



These animals, in general, live in holes in the 

 ground ; and are very swift, and able to climb trees. 

 Their food is chiefly vegetable ; which most of them 

 seek in the night, keeping in their retreats during 

 the day. They feed in a somewhat upright position, 

 carrying the food to their mouth in their fore-paws. 

 They are very prolific. 



* Church. 



