TESTIMONIES AGAINST THE RAT. 
65 
eatable thing, and killing hens and pigeons while sitting on 
their eggs, is very considerable. He says the old black rat 
is nearly extirpated ; and the fierce, dirtier, more mischievous 
and dangerous brown rat has taken its place. 
The talented compiler of the " Natural History of British 
and Foreign Quadrupeds " says it is the most destructive of all 
sucking animals, devouring our meat, poultry, game^ birds, 
fish, corn, and other articles of food. Nor does its mischief 
end there ; for it gnaws our furniture, clothes, book?, 
papers, &c. 
The author of " British Quadrupeds " states that its as- 
tonishing fecundity, its omnivorous habits, the secrecy 
of its retreats, and the ingenious devices to which it has 
recourse, either to retain its existing place of abode, or 
to migrate to a more favourable situation, all contribute tp 
keep up its almost overwhelming numbers. It digs with 
great facility and vigour, makes its way with rapidity 
beneath the floorings of our houses, between the stones and 
bricks of walls, and often excavating the foundations of a 
dwelling to a dangerous extent. There are many instances 
of their fatally undermining the most solid mason-work, or 
burrowing through dams which for ages served to confine the 
waters of rivers and canals. He also states, that after they 
have had their fill in the corn-fields they will carry ofi" a large 
quantity, and deposit it in their runs. 
The editor of the " Naturalists' Library " speaks of the 
rat in the following terms. " Its food consists of almost 
every kind of ^nimal and vegetable substances eaten by other 
quadrupeds. In granaries and corn-yards it is extremely 
destructive, committing its depredations in the former by 
night, and in the latter feasting at leisure in the heart of the 
stacks, where it frequently produces its young, and whence 
it cannot be expelled until they are taken down, when the 
quantity of corn it has destroyed is sometimes found to be 
enormous. In houses it feeds on bread, potatoes, suet, tal- 
low, flesh, fish, cheese, and butter ; in short, almost every- 
thing that comes in its way, including leather and articles 
of clothing. In the poultry-yard it destroys the young 
chickens, and in game-preserves commits similar depredations. 
Instances of its mutilating children, and even of its attack- 
ing grown persons, are known. In the fields it devours 
F 
