132 CLASS MAMMALIA. 



multiply" induces a temporary association. Gestation is 

 said to last about twenty-five days, and the young are 

 born from four to six at a time, entirely naked, and with 

 the eyes closed ; the mother fosters them about fifteen days, 

 after which time they become independent of her care. 

 They seem to have been from all time creatures of our 

 climate, at least we have no record of their first appearance 

 here, as is the case with the Common and Brown Rat. 



The Wood-Mouse of Shaw, Field-Rat of Pennant, or 

 Mulot of BufFon, (Mus Sylvaticus, lAxi.) is in general under 

 five inches long, and the tail is rather less, but it varies 

 considerably in dimensions. Its colour is very dark, yel- 

 lowish-brown, whitish on the under part ; the tail is dark- 

 brown above, and dirty-white underneath ; but as it varies 

 in size, and is an inhabitant of a large portion of the earth, 

 so it varies also in colour. Its head is both thicker and 

 larger, comparatively with the body, than that of the Rat ; 

 the eyes are very large and prominent ,• the ears are large ; 

 and the animal stands higher than the Rat. 



The Mulot or Wood-Mouse is found throughout Europe, 

 and, though rarely, in Russia. It is a very destructive little 

 animal, as its habits induce it, like the Squirrel, to lay up a 

 large store of winter provision, consisting of nuts, acorns, 

 corn, 8fC. 



These animals multiply occasionally to an extraordinary 

 degree, and become great pests by their predatory and 

 wasteful habits. 



The Harvest-Mouse, (Mus Messorius, White) is probably 

 the smallest of British quadrupeds, the body not exceeding 

 two inches and a quarter in length, and the tail two inches; 

 and the weight is said to be about one-sixth of an ounce. 



Either this species is exclusively British, or it has hitherto 

 escaped the industrious researches of the continental natu- 

 ralists, for it is doubtful whether it can be identified with 

 the Mus Pendulinus of Hermann. 



