10 
THE RAT. 
Albinos, or White Bats. 
Before I give an account of tlie Brown rat, I must 
notice tlie Albino, or White rat. Some authors believe it is 
a mere accidental variation of the brown rat. Mr. Richardson, 
in his " Pests of the Farm," also expresses the same opinion. 
He says, " The common brown rat sometimes presents albino 
characteristics ; that is to say, it is occasionally to be found 
of a white colour, with red eyes. In the neighbourhood of 
Greenock, for instance, he says, there were, some years ago, 
numbers of these albinos to be met with, especially among i 
the shipping. Some specimens were sent him, and he kept 
one of them as a pet for a considerable time." 
A colony of white rats was lately discovered in the Ains- l 
worth Colliery, near Bury. They committed great depre- 
dations, when they had an opportunity, upon the food of 
the colliers. 
In London, at the present time, these animals, being bred 
for fancy, are becoming very numerous, and sell at the rate 
of four shillings a couple. In shape and manners they are 
exactly like the common barn rat, but rather smaller. Their 
fur in every part is purest white; and their eyes, noses, 
and skin, beneath the fur, are of a most de-Icate pink. 
The first who bred these for fancy and profit was a person 
by the name of Ostin, residing in the Waterloo Boad ; and > 
he was the first man who brought to perfection the happy 
family, which may be seen daily at the foot of Waterloo 
Bridge, London. He informed me that he first procured 
two white rats, male and female, from Normandy about 
three years ago; and from this couple he has bred an 
immense number in cages. He has also initiated his son-in- 
law in the art of subduing the natural cravings of various 
animals, and reducing them to one standard of peace and 
equality. He exhibits his happy family every fine evening 
in Begent Street, and in the present instance is my prin- 
cipal informant. At the time I write he has above a 
I'iundred white rats, besides others. He has crossed the 
breed with the brown and black rat ; and has produced a 
vast number of both brown and white, and black and white 
