42 
GREAT RAT. 
takes the advantage of a moment's delay, and 
instead of waiting for the attack, becomes the 
aggressor, seizing its pursuer by the lip, and 
inflicting a very painful and dangerous wound. 
From the inflammation, and other angry symptoms 
that attend this animal’s bite, some have been led 
to think that it w as in some measure venomous ; 
but it is likely that the difficulty of the wound’s 
healing, arises merely from its being deep and 
lacerated by the teeth, and is rather a consequence 
©f the figure of the instruments that inflict it, 
than any venom they may be supposed to possess. 
The cat is another formidable enemy of this kind ; 
and yet the generality of our cats neither care to 
attack it, nor to feed upon it when killed. The 
cat is a more prudent hunter than the dog, alid 
will not be at the pains to take, or combat with 
an enemy that is not likely to repay her time and 
danger. Some cats, however, will pursue and 
take the rat ; though often not without an 
obstinate resistance. If hungry, the cat will some* 
times eat the head ; but, in general, she is merely 
content with her victory. 
A foe much more dangerous to these vermin, is 
the weasel. This animal pursues them with avidity, 
and being pretty nearly of their own size, follows 
them into their holes, where a desperate combat 
ensues. The strength of each is pretty near equal : 
but the arms are Very different. The rat, fur™ 
nished with four long tusks at the extremity of its 
jaw, rather snaps than bites ; but the w r easel, 
where it once fastens, holds, and continuing also 
to suck the blood at the same time, weakens its 
antagonist, and always obtains the victory. Man™ 
%ind have contrived several other methods of 
destroying these noxious intruders ; ferrets, traps, 
and particularly poison ; but of all other poi- 
sons, the nox vomica, (Spanish nut,) ground and 
