440 
MAMMALIA. 
their incessant destruction, Eats do not appear to diminish, hut 
rather the reverse. 
In consequence of their disgusting habits, and the damage 
which they cause, Eats invariably inspire all with repugnance, so 
that we never think of taming them, and but rarely contemplate 
the possibility of making pets of them. This, however, would 
be by no means an impossibility. In the public places of Paris, 
a mountebank may often be seen exhibiting a troop of performing 
Eats. They recognise the voice of their master, and execute 
various tricks at his command, such as jumping in and out of a 
basket, bowing to the company, &c. ; ultimately, at the call of 
their owner, they come and nestle in his bosom between his 
waistcoat and shirt. 
Fig. 178. — Black Bat (Mus rattus). 
The Chevalier de Latude, celebrated by his lengthened captivity 
in the Bastille, was much inconvenienced in his dungeon by Eats, 
which, during his sleep, were in the habit of running over his 
face, and sometimes even biting him. Binding himself unable to 
drive them away, he determined to cultivate the friendship of 
these troublesome neighbours. He began by enticing one with 
some bread, taking care not to startle it by any sudden movement. 
At the end of three days, the animal had become so tame, that 
it would feed out of his hand. The most difficult part of his 
