198 



ON THE TOTAL AND PARTIAL 



become scarcer and scarcer in the vicinity of Keswick, in Cumberland, 

 where considerable quantities are destroyed merely for the sake of its 

 feathers, which are extensively used in the manufacture of artificial 

 flies for anglers *. Selby observes, that the bird is scarce on the moors 

 . of Cumberland, but does not appear to be aware of the cause of its 

 scarcity. 



Besides the above-mentioned mammalia and birds, there are some 

 smaller animals, lower in the scale of animated nature, that have be- 

 come nearly or totally extirpated from the British Islands. 



We are told that the patron saint of Ireland banished from that 

 land all the toads and noxious reptilest. We are informed by Gold- 

 smith that the frog (Rana aquatica) was designedly introduced into 

 Ireland some years before those all-conquering animals, the brown rats, 

 (of whose influence in expelling the black rat I have already spoken) 

 took possession of that country, and it was observed to multiply amaz- 

 ingly. " The inhabitants," he states, " were pleased with the propaga- 

 tion of a harmless animal that served to rid their fields of insects ; and 

 even the prejudices of the people were in its favour, as they supposed 

 that the frog contributed to render their waters more wholesome. But 

 the Norway rat (brown rat) soon put a stop to their increase ; as 

 these animals were of an amphibious nature, they pursued the frog to 

 its lakes, and took it even in its own natural element. I am, therefore, 

 assured that the frog is almost extinct in that kingdom ; and that the 

 Norway rat, having no enemies left to destroy, is grown less numerous 

 also %" 



The natterjack (Rana rubetci) has become so scarce, in England, 

 that it was questioned, a short time ago, in the Magazine of Natural 

 History, whether it was still to be found here or not. From the re- 

 plies that were elicited to this query, it appears that though rare and 

 local, yet it is not extinct. 



Were I better acquainted with Ichthyology, a branch of Natural 

 History which is too much disregarded at the present day, I have but 

 little doubt that I might furnish a few instances of the extermination 



* Knowledge for the People, Part iv. p. 103. 



f Not having sufficient credulity to believe in the Saint's power, I am disposed 

 to think that some peculiar quality of the soil, water, or atmosphere, is the real 

 cause of toads, &c, not being found in Ireland. Toads, &c. are not the only ani- 

 mals not to be found in Ireland, for the mole {Talpa Europcea) does not exist 

 therein, on account, it is supposed, of the general moist nature of the country. — J. F 



t Natural History, page 210. 



