194 BLACK RAT. 



there were rats in our country, which by the common people might have 

 been regarded as similar to those of Europe, but these have novir been 

 proved to be of very diflerent species. Besides, if the species existed in 

 the East from time immemorial, is it not more probable that it should 

 have been carried to Europe, and from thence to America, than that it 

 should have been originally indigenous to both continents? As an evi- 

 dence of the facility vv^ith vsrhich rats are transported from one country to 

 another, we will relate the following occurrence. A vessel had arrived 

 in Charleston from some English port, we believe Liverpool. She was 

 freighted with a choice cargo of the finest breeds of horses, horned cat- 

 tle, sheep, &c., imported by several planters of Carolina. A few phea- 

 sants {Phasianus colchicus) were also left on board, and we were in- 

 formed that several of the latter had been killed by a singular looking set 

 of rats, that had become numerous on board of the ship. One of them 

 was caught and presented to us, and proved to be the Black Rat. Months 

 after the ship had left, we saw several of this species at the wharf where 

 the vessel had discharged her cargo, proving that after a long sea voyage 

 they had given the preference to terra firma, and like many other sailors, 

 at the clearing out of the ship had preferred remaining on shore. 



We have seen several descriptions of rats, that we think will eventually 

 be referred to some of the varieties of this species. The Mus Americanus 

 of Gmelin, Mus nigricans of Rafinesuue, and several others, do not even 

 appear to be varieties ; and we have little doubt that our light-coloured 

 variety, if it has not already a name, will soon be described by some 

 naturalist, who will consider it new. To prevent any one from taking 

 this unnecessary trouble, we subjoin a short description of this variety, 

 as observed in Carolina and Georgia. 



Wliole upper surface, grayish-brown, tinged with yellow ; light ash be- 

 neath ; bearing so strong a resemblance to the Norway rat, that without 

 a close examination it might be mistaken for it. 



In shape, size, and character of the pelage, it does not differ from the 

 ordinary black specimens. 



