38 RAT TftlBH* 
of this animal is grey above and whitish beneath j 
the toes of the fore feet are lobated, or bordered 
with a membrane, and the hind feet are webbed ; 
the toes are five in number on all the feet. The 
tail is of a compressed lanceolate form, and hairy. 
It is a bold, and even fierce animal, and has the 
power of continuing a great while under water. 
It does not construct any regular habitation like 
the common beaver, nor does it afford any cas- 
toreum. The female is said to produce from two 
to three young at a birth. It is called iu Chili by 
the name of guillino. 
/ 
RAT TRIBE. 
This tribe contains all those animals which go 
pnder the denomination of murine quadrupeds ; 
and, although the term rat has been adopted, it 
includes not only the species that we know by the 
peculiar name of rats, but also the mice, and others 
called beaver rats. 
These animals, in general, live in boles in the 
ground ; and are very swift, and able to climb 
trees. Their food is chiefly vegetable ; which 
most of them seek in the night, keeping in their 
retreats during the day. They feed in a some- 
what upright position, carrying the food to their 
mouth in their fore paws. They are very pro- 
lific. 
The front teeth are wedge-shaped. There are 
generally three grinders on each side, but some- 
times only two. All the species have clavicles^ 
hi collar-bones, in the skeleton* 
■tn — *** 
