HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 379 



The Cat is alfo a very formidable enemy, but generally 

 finds greater difficulty in the conteft : The Rat makes a 

 vigourous refiftance, and fometimes effects its efcape. 

 The Weafel is the mod determined enemy of the Rat 

 kind : It hunts them with unceafing avidity ; purfues 

 them into their holes, where it foon kills them, and 

 fucks their blood: And in particular fituations, the Fer- 

 ret is a ftill more deadly adverfary. Mankind have like- 

 wife contrived various methods of deftroying thefe bold 

 intruders. For that purpofe, traps are often found inef- 

 fectual; fuch being their extreme fagacity, that when 

 any are drawn into the fnare, the others by that means 

 learn to avoid the dangerous allurement, notwithstanding 

 the utmoft caution may have been ufed to conceal the de- 

 fign. The fureft method of killing them is by poifon : 

 Nux vomica ground, and mixed with oatmeal, with a 

 fmall proportion of oil of Rhodium and mufk, have been 

 found from experience to be very effectual. 



