ORDER RODENTIA. 101 



Marmot, Squirrel, fyc. ; and, of the latter, by their fur, the 

 Beaver, Hare, Rabbit, the Hamster, Chinchilla, Squir- 

 rel, 8fc. 



The Rodentia are said in general to be but slightly 

 endowed with intellect ; the Beaver and the Rat, however, 

 afford striking exceptions to this observation; for whatever 

 distinction we may draw or invent between instinct and 

 reason, many of the actions of these animals seem to 

 partake considerably of both these characters. 



The several genera of this order are spread almost over 

 the whole habitable globe, and some species have become 

 cosmopolite in following man in all his migrations. The 

 Islands in the vicinity of New Holland have, however, 

 hitherto only furnished two species. 



The various genera which compose this order will be 

 found not to depart very considerably from the common 

 type. The order is a very natural one, especially when we 

 view the animals which compose it in reference to their 

 manner of breaking and dividing, or triturating their food ; 

 there are species and genera in it which approximate the 

 characters of other orders, and the dentary system proper to 

 this order seems first discernible among the Phalangers; it 

 continues in the Kanguroos, and is nearly complete in the 

 Wombat ; but these Marsupiata have not the articulation 

 of the lower jaw proper to this order. 



This extensive and important order of the Rodentia, the 

 Baron very appropriately commences with the Castor, or 

 Beaver. There is no animal in the whole order which dis- 

 plays, within several degrees, an equal portion of intelli- 

 gence. The instinct of sociability, that natural penchant 

 which induces certain of the mammiferous tribes to com- 

 municate with each other, and even to enter into means of 

 mutual defence is, doubtless, the result of innate disposi- 

 tions, which entirely depend on organization, and are not 



