THE RAT. 
pottery drain-pipe, not only for cheapness and durability, but 
because they are proof against the teeth and clavv^s of rats; 
or, more properly speaking, they are perfectly rat-proof. 
CHAPTER X. 
THE POLICE OF NATURE. 
Having laid down the various plans of operation for the 
entire destruction of rats in every portion of the farm and 
out-buildings, I shall now devote a few pages to what are 
generally looked upon as the natural extirpators of the rat ; 
and hence called the Police of Nature. 
The common enemies of the rat are, for the most part, the 
marten cat, polecat, stoat, weasel, cat, dog, owl, and man. ; 
We shall give each a fair consideration, and see how 
far they tend to destroy rats ; and perhaps we shall find manj^ 
receiving far more credit for their exertions than they 
merit. 
In the first place, we shall take the ferret, which is a 
native of Africa ; but here he is, comparatively speaking, a 
domestic animal, being bred by gamekeepers and rat-catchers 
for rat and rabbit-hunting. 
Ferrets were first taken from Africa to Spain, for hunting 
out the rabbits, which had become so numerous that they 
were producing a famine, and threatened destruction to the 
country. From thence they spread throughout Europe. j 
When ferrets are wanted for hunting, their masters keep \ 
them without food, because they will hunt but little, if at g 
all, when they are full. Consequently ferrets hunt not for d 
the purpose of destroying their victims, but for the sake of j 
a meal ; and when they are put into the holes, if they should ^1 
slip their muzzles, and catch a rat or rabbit, or come across { 
a nest of young ones, they will destroy them ; and after ij 
having gorged as much as they please, will often lie down I ^ 
by the remainder, and go fast asleep ! As for rats or rab- j ^ 
bits, they may do as they please ; the ferret will sleep on, \\ 
being naturally a drowsy animal ; consequently the rats ! d, 
