MAMMALS 
A region of rugged heights and secluded valleys, the sides of which 
are frequently broken by precipitous escarpments of rock or loose screes 
of debris, is well calculated to afford a safe retreat to such timid and re- 
tiring creatures as the red deer (Cervus elaphus), the roe (Capreolus 
capreolus), the wild cat (Fels catus), the badger (Me/es meles) and the 
pine marten (Mustela martes); not to speak of animals that are more 
generally distributed, such as the otter (Lutra /utra), and the polecat 
(Putorius putorius). Accordingly, we find, that while one of these ani- — 
mals—the wild cat—has succumbed to centuries of ruthless persecution, 
the others still succeed in rearing their offspring in their natural haunts. 
It may be that a few years will see the extinction of the pine marten, 
as it is extremely difficult to afford effective protection to this rare and 
interesting animal; the days of the polecat also may perhaps be num- 
bered. But, happily, these are exceptions. The red deer no longer 
roams unheeded over vast tracts of country ; but though hedged in with 
fences, the master stag still does battle for his seraglio upon the fellside, 
and the hinds drop their spotted calves beneath the shelter of the bracken 
fern as though they enjoyed perfect liberty. The fallow deer (Cervus 
dama), an introduced species, adorns many of our county parks with its 
graceful presence and diversity of colour ; while the shy roe still crops 
the ivy in the coverts of the Lord of Naworth. 
It is perhaps to be regretted that the black rat (Mus rattus) has 
almost quitted the county ; but if the brown rat (Mus decumanus) could 
also be exterminated, we should have little cause to lament the absence of 
either of these pests of society. 
The Cetacea which visit the coast of Cumberland are imperfectly 
known, for the carcases of those that are washed ashore are generally 
buried, or boiled down, without any pains being bestowed upon their 
identification ; but future zoologists may perhaps be more fortunate in 
this respect than we have been. 
The Micro-mammals call for little remark ; but the extreme rarit 
of one or two species of bat, such as the barbastelle (Barbastella barba- 
stellus), seems to suggest that some, at any rate, of those which have been 
taken in the county were accidental immigrants—in fact ‘waifs and 
strays’ from other faunal areas. 
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