110 CLASS MAMMALIA. 



soils, but establishes itself on the borders of ditches or 

 rivers, or in wet and marshy valleys. It not only swims 

 with facility, although rather slowly, but dives and runs at 

 the bottom of the water, where, however, it cannot remain 

 much more than half a minute. 



It is found all over Europe, in the North of Asia, and in 

 America, but is most common in Russia and Siberia. 



It feeds principally on herbs or roots, but takes also young 

 fish, frogs, and water insects ; when unable to flee from 

 an enemy, it will sit on the haunches and defend itself with 

 its fore-paws and teeth with considerable obstinacy. 



The female produces six or seven at a birth in her sub- 

 terranean retreat, and several times in a year. Like the 

 Ondatra, these animals are observed at certain periods to 

 emit a peculiar scent. 



There are some varieties known, which will be found in 

 the table. 



The Campagnol, or Meadow Mouse of Pennant, (Mus 

 Arvalis, Pallas) is very common, says Dr. Shaw, in our 

 island, and is readily distinguished from the rest of the 

 British species by the shortness of its tail. We shall add 

 nothing further in this place to its specific description ; it 

 makes its nest in meadows, and produces a litter of about 

 five or six at a time, twice a year. Its favorite food is 

 grain, which it amasses during harvest. It is frequently 

 found in corn ricks and barns. 



This species is a most formidable enemy to the labours of 

 mankind. Wherever the husbandman may have by industry 

 and art overcome the natural sterility of the soil, or directed 

 and fostered its innate fecundity to the benefit of mankind, 

 the Campagnol is quickly found to follow him, to profit by 

 his labours, and appropriate the fruits of his industry. 

 Nor is this destructive little animal content merely 

 with dividing the harvest with man, or even appro- 

 priating the whole of it ; his spoliation extends to the seed 

 in the ground, as well as to that which is not gathered. 



