304 MURID*. 



Although apparently verging towards extinction, it is 

 . probable, however, that it will continue to be occasionally 

 met with, as, from its abundance in some countries, it is 

 very likely to be conveyed in ships to our shores. It is 

 equally destructive of every kind of food, whether con- 

 sisting of animal or vegetable matters; and, not satisfied 

 with the ordinary articles of human food, falls upon every 

 organized substance within its reach, devouring even 

 woollen cloths, leather, and other articles of domestic 

 use. It forms its runs between the walls of houses, and 

 under the stone and brick flooring of cellars, coming 

 forth in the night in search of food. Its habits are, in 

 fact, similar to those of the Brown Rat, of which most 

 people have some idea. 



In warmer climates, where there is no winter to inter- 

 rupt their breeding, or to cut off their supply of nourish- 

 ment, the multiplication of this species, as well as of 

 the Brown Rat, is enormous ; and they become in some 

 seasons a most severe infliction upon the cultivators of 

 the land. 



Although its disposition appears to be naturally exceed- 

 ingly ferocious, there are instances on record of its evinc- 

 ing considerable attachment, not only to each other, but 

 to mankind. Mr. Jesse, in his usual amusing and pleasant 

 style, gives us an anecdote, which the respectable authority 

 from which he derived it would forbid us to doubt, exhi- 

 biting a degree of tenderness and care towards the disabled 

 and aged members of their community, which, were it 

 imitated by Christian men, would either render our poor 

 laws unnecessary, or remove the disgrace and opprobrium 

 which their maladministration too often causes to attach 

 to them. His informant, the Rev. Mr. Ferryman, walk- 

 ing out in some meadows one evening, " observed a great 

 number of Rats in the act of migrating from one place to 



