542 An Attempt to ascertain the Fauna of Shropshire, ^c. 



dry being full of them. When pursued they occasionally dived; 

 they also ascended trees with the greatest facility. 



:Mus DECUMANUs, Pall. (Norway Rat.) Common. An introduced 

 species. 



Arvicola AMPHiBius, De*?«. (Water Rat.) Common. This ani- 

 mal, like others of its genus, hybernates. There are numbers in the 

 banks of the drains on the wild moors in summer, while in winter not 

 one is to be seen. 



Arvicola ARVALis, jP/ew. (Field Vole.) In this neighbourhood, 

 (Eyton,) this species frequents the banks of drains, and both swims 

 and dives well. I have not yet met with A. pratensis, Baill. within 

 the district. 



Lepus timidus, Linn. (Hare.) Common. Several specimens of 

 a whitish variety have also occurred. 



Lepus cuniculus, Linn. (Rabbit.) Common. Black specimens 

 are found occasionally on Rudge Heath, and in the neighbourhood 

 of Eyton. A buff or yellowish variety is common near Longford 

 Newport. 



Phoc^na delphinus, Cuv. (Porpoise.) Common on the Welsh 

 coast in summer. The time of migration of this species would be 

 worth the investigation of any one who had the opportunity. 



Extinct Species. 



Cants lupus, Linn. (Wolf.) The former existence of this ani- 

 mal is sufficiently proved by a mandate of Edward the First (quoted 

 by Pennant) to Peter Corbet, to superintend and assist in the de- 

 struction of them through the several counties of Gloucester, Wor- 

 cester, Hereford, Salop, and Stafford. 



Castor FIBER, Li««. (Beaver.) Pennant quotes Geraldus Cam- 

 brensis for the former existence of this species, who travelled 

 through Wales in 1188, and states that in his time they were found 

 in the river Teivi. Two or three waters in the principality still 

 bear the name Lyn-yr-afange, or beaver lake. — Bay. 



Mus RATTus, Linn. (Black Rat.) Although I have not been able 

 to find any notice of the present or former existence of this animal 

 within the district, I have here inserted it, as it is most probable 

 that it was an inhabitant before the introduction of its destroyer, 

 the Norway rat. 



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