R A T 
tVie Latins have denominated this bird the pluvia- 
lis avis. 
RALLUS. A genus of grallse in the Linna^an 
fyftem: the charadVers of which are; that the bill 
is flender, a little comprefled, thicker at the bafe, 
and fmaller towards the apex, with a flight incur- 
vation ; the noftrils are ovated ; the feet have four 
divided toes; and the body is comprefled. There 
are ten fpecies of this genus, 
RAM. The male of the fheep kind. See 
Sheep. 
RANA. A clafTical appellation for the frog. 
See Frog. 
RANA ARBOREA. A term by which many 
authors exprefs the tree-frog. 
RANA PISCATRIX. See Angler and 
Sea-Devil. 
RANUNCULUS VIRIDIS, the Tree-Frog. 
An animal, generally reputed of a poifonous 
nature, common in many parts of the world, and 
eafily diftinguifneci from the common kind by be- 
ing much fmaller and of a green colour. It ufu- 
ally firs on the leaves of trees and fhrubs, making 
a noife more refembling the finging of a bird than 
the croaking of a frog. 
RAPACIOUS ANIMALS. A term by 
which naturalifts exprefs fuch animals as fubfift 
on prey. When applied to birds, it includes the 
accipitres of Linnjeus : the diflinguifliing charac- 
ters of which are; that the head is large, and the 
neck fhort; that the beak and talons are hooked, 
ftrong, and fliarp-pointed, adapted for tearing 
fiefli; that the thighs are ftrong and brawny; that 
the tongue is broad and fiefliy; and that the tail- 
feathers are twelve in number. 
Rapacious birds have membranous ftomachs; 
are extremely quick-fighted; and in general foli- 
tary. 
RAP AX. An appellation by which Schone- 
veldt exprefles the corvus pifcis of fome natura- 
lifts; a fpecies of chub or cyprinus; called Rappe 
bvthe Germans; and by Gcfner, CapitoFluviatllis 
Rapax. 
RAPHIDIA. A genus of four-winged flies, 
of the neuroptera kind. The diftinguilliing cha- 
racters of which are: the head is corneous, de- 
preffed, and furniflied with two tcedi; the feelers 
are four in number; the ftemmata are three; the 
wings are deflexed; the thorax is cylindric; and 
the tail is armed with a weapon of a flender form, 
fliarp, horny, and fingle. 
RAPPE. An appellation given by fome na- 
turalifts to the fluviatilis rapax of Gefner, more 
frequently known by that of corvus pifcis. 
RASPECON. A name by which fome au- 
thors exprefs the uranofcope or ftar-gazer. 
RAT. A well known animal of the order of 
glires, of which there are fevera! fpecies. 
Rat, Common; the Mus Ratcus of Linnasus. 
If we confider animals in a philofophic light, from 
the largeft to the fmalleft, from the enormous ele- 
phant to the diminutive moufe, we fliall difcover 
that we fuffer greater injuries from the contempti- 
ble mt-annefs of the one than the formidable inva- 
fions of the other. Man can oppofe united 
ftrength and art againft the lion, the clejihant, 
and the rhinoceros : thefe he has fometimes driven 
into their native folitudes, and compelled to keep 
their diftance in the mott inhofpitable climates 
and fterile trafts; hut no force can be exerted 
againft the unrefifting rimidity of the feebler ani- 
mals, no arrs can diminifli their aftoniflaing in- 
Cx-cafe; legions of Rats may be deftroyed almoft^ 
RAT 
inftantaneoufly, yet their iofs is fcarcely ftlt, and 
quickly repaired. Nature, though fne has denied 
them ftrength, has fupplied them with numerous 
means of efcape; and, to compenfate for nume- 
rous enemies, has endued them with unbounded 
fecundity. 
The Rat is indeed the moft pernicious of all 
the fmaller quadrupeds: our food, drink, cloaths, 
furniture, and every convenisncy of life, is a prey 
to this deftruftivc creature; and it makes equal 
havock among our poultry, rabbits, and gam.e. 
Being a domeftic animal, always refiding in 
houfes, barns or granaries, and Nature having fur- 
niflied it vvith prodigious ftrong teeth, it can pe- 
netrate tlie hardeft wood, or the iiioft folid mor- 
tar. It's temporary rendenccj or neft for it's 
young, is ufually in fome hole near the chimney; 
and when intended for the latter purpofe, it ren- 
ders it warm and commodious vv'ith purloined 
rags, hav, ftraw, and wool. 
The Rat breeds feveral times in the year, and 
ufually brings forth fix or feven young at a time. 
It's fecundity fjequently overftocks it's abode; 
in wl^ich cafe a fcarcity of food ufually compels 
the ft'rongeft animals to devour the weaker. Hap- 
pily for mankind, this unnatural difpofirion pre- 
vents them from attacking the human fpecies, 
though inftnnces might be produced of their hav- 
ing gnawed infants when afieep. 
The weafel is one of the moft powerful 
and fuccefsful enemies of the Rat: it pofl"efl!es 
more agility than the cat; and, from the flender 
form of it's body, being enabled to purfue ic 
through all it's retreats, deftroys more of thefe 
vermin than the combined force of men and other 
animals can effcifl. The Norv/ay Rat alio, fince 
it's introduction into this country, has confidera- 
bly thinned the numbers of the common kind, 
and in many places almoft extirpated them. 
As the common Rat, though fo univerfally 
known, will probably become extinCt in a few 
ages, a defcription of it may therefore be the more 
neceffu'v. It's length, from the nofe to the tail, 
is about feven inches; and the tail nearly eight. 
The nofe, which is fliarp-pointed, is furniflied 
Vv'ith long whiflcers; t'ne colour of the head, and 
the whole upper part of the body, is a deep iron 
grey, bordering on black; the throat and belly 
are of a dirty white, inclining to grey; and the 
feet and legs are of a dirty pale fleih-colour, al- 
moft" deftitute of hair. The tail is covered wich 
fmall dufky fcales, mixed with a few hairs, which 
incrcafes the natural deformity of this deteftable 
creature. The fore feet want the thumb or inte- 
rior toe, having only a claw in it's place; and the 
hind feet are furniftied with five toes each. 
Tlie Europeans firft introduced thefe animals 
into America about the year i 544, which are nov/ 
become the peft of all that continent. They weie 
formerly fo great a nuifance in this kingdom, 
that the fovereign of England had a Rat-catcher 
belonging to his houfliold ; which office is ftill 
continued, thouo-h it's neceflity no longer exifcs. 
The habit of this officer is as fingular as his em- 
ployment is ridiculous; being red embroidered 
with yellow woj [led, and decorated with the figures 
of mice deftroying wheat-ftieaves. 
Rat, Norway; the Surmulotof Buffon. This 
animal, whicli made it's firft appearance in Eng- 
land about fifty years ago, burrows in the banks 
of rivers, ponds, and ditches ; takes the water very 
readily; and fwims and dives with great celerity. 
It does incredible damage to thole mounds which 
arc 
