2l6 LLOYDS NATURAL HISTORV. 



table substances ; and it is probable that insects are also occa- 

 sionally eaten. In addition to the harm inflicted on roots and 

 bulbs, the Bank- Vole often does much damage to the bark of 

 fruit- and other trees, more especially in the spring and winter. 

 In parts of Scotland these animals have seriously damaged 

 young larch-plantations by their ravages on the bark and buds. 

 In Switzerland the charge has been brought against this Rodent 

 of robbing the nests of such small birds as build upon the 

 ground ; but further evidence on this point is desirable. The 

 breeding-habits appear to be identical with those of the pre- 

 ceding species, from four to eight young being produced in a 

 litter. 



In ridding gardens of Voles, the writer has found a common 

 4-trap made out of three pieces of lath and a couple of roofing- 

 tiles the most eflfeciive ; either a split bean or a piece of cheese 

 being used as a bait. 



III. THE WATER-VOLE. MICROTUS AMPHIBIUS. 



Mus atnphibius, Linn., Syst. Nat. ed. 12, vol. i. p. 82 (1766). 

 Microtus amphibius, Schrank, Fauna Boica, vol. i. p. 72 



(1798); Lataste, Act. Soc. Linn. Bordeaux, vol. xxxviii. 



p. 36 (1884). 

 Arvicola amphibius, Desmarest, Mammalogie, p. 280(1820); 



Bell, British Quadrupeds, 2nd ed. p. 316 (1874). 

 Arvicola aquatica, Fleming, British Animals, p. 23 (1828). 

 Arvicola ater, Macgillivray, Mem. Wern, Soc. vol. vi. p. 



424 (1832). 



Arvicola amphibia, Jenyns, British Vert. Anim. p. 33 (1835); 



Flower, Cat. Osteol. Mus Roy. Coll. Surgeons, pt. ii. p. 



610 (1884). 



(Plan XXVI.) 



Characters. — Size large ; tail about half the length of head and 

 body ; hind-feet long, with five naked pads on the soles ; fur 



