IMPLICATIONS OF THE STUDY 
This study was undertaken in order to obtain 
more insight into the biology of the Norway rat 
under natural conditions as well as to explore the 
specific hypothesis that the growth of rat popula- 
tions may be inhibited through social interactions. 
The manner in which social interactions inhibit 
population growth provides an understanding of 
how alterations in the environment operate as an 
effective means of reducing rat populations. 
Furthermore, these findings open up a field of 
research in which animals subjects may be of value 
in elucidating some of the social problems which 
confront man today. This field is the relationship 
of the physical structure of the environment to social 
behavior and to social organization of groups. 
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