THE RAT, 
AND ITS DEVASTATING CHARACTER. 
INTRODUCTION. 
For years I have been studying the nature, fecundity, 
and devastating character of the Rat, and I have spared 
neither time nor trouble in obtaining all the information 
within my power. In my opinion it is a subject which 
materially concerns the general welfare of the human family. 
Nay, more ; it seems to me extraordinary, that when the 
cleverest legislators, from time to time, have been exerting 
their minds and faculties to relieve agricultural and manu- 
facturing depression, the subject of which I am now treating 
should have remained altogether unnoticed ; for I believe 
these destructive vermin will be found to be a most fertile 
source of individual and national distress. In saying this 
much, it may perhaps be thought that I am attaching too 
much importance to the subject ; but when the reader shall 
have perused this work, and given it that deep consideration 
which is necessary, I believe he will come to the same 
conclusion as myself 
I must here mention that none of the naturalists whom I 
have consulted give a clear definition of the rat. Some of 
them, it is true, present lucid descriptions of it as it is, even 
to the colour of a hair, or the length and diameter of its 
intestines ; but as to its general habits, and what it does, 
they are most vague and imperfect. 
Hats feed and labour in the dark ; they shun the approach 
of man. If we enter a barn or granary, where hundreds are 
living, we shall not observe any, unless we disturb them in 
their hiding-places. If we go to a rick that may be one 
B 
