108 
THE KAT. 
SO alarmed tlie animal that he plunged most violently ; then 
rearing on his hind legs, struck down the deceased with such 
force as to break his jaw to pieces. The injuries were so 
severe that he died shortly afterwards. 
I shall conclude this chapter on the courage, ferocity, and 
cunning of rats, by presenting two anecdotes, derived from 
authentic sources ; the first from Mr. Jesse, and the second 
from the "Quarterly Review." Mr. Jesse, in the following 
narrative, gives a striking instance not only of the courage 
but the sagacity of these animals, as manifested in an experi- 
ment tried by a medical friend residing at Kingston, who is 
much devoted to the pursuit of natural history. " This 
gentleman," says Mr. Jesse, " having entertained a great deal 
of surprise and doubt that the ferret, an animal of such slow 
locomotive powers, should be so destructive to the rat tribe, 
determined to put the matter to the test, by bringing two of 
these animals fairly together, so that he might judge of their 
respective powers. He first selected a fine specimen of a 
large full-grown rat ; then an equally strong male ferret — one 
that had been accustomed to rat-hunting. His son was with 
him, and they turned the two animals into an empty room 
which had but one window. Here they purposed waiting 
patiently to see the whole process of the encounter. Imme- 
diately upon being liberated, the rat ran round the room as 
if searching for a hole ; but not finding any means of escape, 
he uttered a piercing shriek ; then with the most prompt 
decision took his station directly under the light, thus gaining 
over his adversary the advantage of the sun. The ferret now- 
erected his head, snifted about, and seemed fearlessly to push 
his way towards the spot where the scent of his game was 
strongest, at the same time facing the light in full front, 
and preparing himself with avidity to seize upon his prey. 
No sooner, however, had he approached within two feet of 
his watchful foe, than the rat, again uttering a loud cry, 
rushed at him, and in a violent attack inflicted a severe 
wound on the head of the ferret, which soon discovered 
itself by the blood that flowed from it. The ferret seemed 
astonished at the charge, and retreated with evident discom- 
fiture, while the rat, instead of following up the advantage he 
had gained, instantly withdrew to his station under the 
window. The ferret soon recovered the shock he had sus- 
