746 THE SMALL-MAMMAL PROBLEM 



groups of small mammals, and most probably in favour of 

 many other organisms also. An attempt to solve the small- 

 mammal problem by purely destructive methods is doomed, 

 therefore, to failure ; it opens a vista of endless strife with 

 the organic world, fraught possibly with great danger from 

 unforeseen consequences, infinite expense, and no satisfaction. 



Small mammals in themselves are not evil things ; on 

 the contrary they play a great part in that complex natural 

 mechanism by which all animals and plants are brought into 

 relation with each other ; a mechanism in which every living 

 thing has to do its exact share of the work of keeping the 

 face of the earth variegated and happy. Aware of this fact, 

 and of the complexity of the relations subsisting between 

 each and all species, it becomes impossible to assert with 

 confidence that we can afford to dispense entirely with any 

 single species now forming part of the British fauna. It 

 is only when man, disturbing the Balance of Nature for his 

 own ends, unduly favours one species or group of species, 

 that evil results from small mammals. "Noxious species" 

 have become "noxious" in consequence of our own careless- 

 ness and stupidity ; to eliminate them, and to remain careless 

 and stupid, is merely to invite other species, at present 

 innocent, to stray and become "noxious" in turn. 



Considerations of health and economy forbid all thought of 

 leaving the small-mammal problem unsolved. Simple destructive 

 methods alone, as shown above, will not solve it. To devise 

 adequate preventive methods seems therefore to be the only 

 course now left open ito us ; in such methods alone can we 

 hope to find a real solution to the problem. The most 

 serious objection to preventive methods is their cost. To 

 put in practice a vast scheme of rat and mouse proofing will 

 cost an immense sum of money, and it will tax the national 

 energy and resources for many years. A cheap remedy for 

 ills springing from the negligence of two thousand years is, 

 however, more than we can reasonably expect. Every 

 farthing spent on prevention will produce permanent benefit ; 

 while sums spent upon mere destruction of rats and mice 

 can procure no more than temporary relief 



The preventive methods contemplated are of two kinds. 



