THE RAT. 



85 



and demolished. On turnip lands, when the plants are in 

 the younger state, the runs of the mole often undermine and 

 destroy the growth of a very considerable number of plants ; 

 and potatoes are also hurt at that time. On pastures, the 

 effects are not so evident, only the hills must be constantly 

 spread abroad, or a quantity of grass is lost, and the objects 

 are unsightly. Though the mole be not a foremost animal 

 in point of destruction, yet we think it is sufficiently so to 

 warrant its removal, or being kept in very moderate 

 numbers. 



The Rat is the "Mus" of zoology; and belongs to the 

 class Mammalia; order Rodentia ; and the family Clavi- 

 culata ; or, provided with perfect collar bones. The genus 

 " Mus" contains a number of varieties; the generic charac- 

 ter is : fore-teeth upper wedged ; grinders three, rarely two, 

 on each side the jaw ; clavicles perfect. The whole genus is 

 characterized as living in holes, or any concealed chinks, 

 climbing and running swiftly ; some of them swim. The 

 name is very frequently pronounced "ratten" or " ratton." 

 The genus " Mus" is divided into five families : 1. Tail com- 

 pressed at the end ; 2. Tail round, naked ; 3. Tail round, 

 hairy; 4. Cheeks pouched; 5. Subterraneous or ground 

 rats. The rat is the " Mus rattus," or black rat, of the 

 second family, tail round, naked. It has the tail very long, 

 scaly ; body black, cinereous beneath. This species, though 

 now common in most parts of Europe, is supposed to have 

 been originally introduced from India and Persia. The 

 word "rattus," or "rat" is modern; the Romans compre- 

 hended all kinds under the word " mus." None are found 

 in Siberia or Kamtschatka. They swarm in Otaheite, and 

 in the other Society Islands ; and are met with in New 

 Zealand and New Holland. In Otaheite they boldly attack 

 persons when asleep. It was found native in North Ame- 

 rica, but was imported into South America in 1554. 



The general length of the rat species, from nose to tail, 

 is about seven inches ; and of the tail, eight inches. The 

 colour of the head, and of the whole part of the body, is a 



