HABITS OF THE RAT. 
463 
paper or pen he could lay hold of with his teeth, would shake it violently, 
squealing all the while in a paroxysm of fury. So that, to end this, he, at all 
events, used to get himself shut up until I was at leisure. 
Although all these animals were tame as I could desire, still the Black Rat in 
particular, by his engaging manners and gentle docility of disposition, actually 
obtained a hold on my affections little inferior to that which a faithful Dog might 
be supposed to possess, and the attachment appeared reciprocal. 
They were all very cleanly animals, and spent much of their time in washing 
and cleaning their fur in the manner of a Cat. I made several attempts to 
introduce a female to them, but the Brown Rat would admit of no stranger 
coming amongst them. 
Having given, in as succinct a manner as I could, this account of the habits of 
the three Rats, and their several dispositions, I shall now conclude with the 
manner of their death :—■ 
My gentle friend, like most pets, came to an untimely end, in this manner:— 
I had to encounter great opposition from my stepfather—a clever man enough in 
his profession, but one of the very old Scottish school of medical men, and he 
conceived that instead of devoting any of my time to the study of Zoology, I 
should give my undivided attention to the acquisition of mere medical know¬ 
ledge, not regarding (as the more enlightened and scientific of the faculty do) 
Zoology to be in any way connected with that profession. This opposition was 
frequently displayed in insisting on a disbandment or removal of my menagerie; 
and on this occasion I was ordered to destroy, or at all events remove all my 
pets, save “ Jemmy,” the Polecat, whose good temper, playfulness, and freedom 
from smell, had rendered him a favourite with my mother, on whom it of course 
devolved to see the doctors orders carried into effect. 
My white Rat, accordingly, got a dose of prussic acid, and his body was sent 
to the Edinburgh University museum, to Mr. W. Jameson, nephew of the pro¬ 
fessor of Natural History.* 
I brought the Brown Rat out of the house, and (of course unknown to any 
one) set him at liberty. Next day, however, the housemaid while making my 
bed discovered him between the blankets; he had imbibed, like my Squirrel 
(mentioned in a former paper), a dislike of liberty, and had returned to his old 
quarters; only, however, to die—for the woman, in her terror at seeing a Rat of 
such magnitude sitting on the bed and deliberately staring her in the face as if 
wondering what the deuce she wanted with him—rushed screaming from the 
room, left the door open, and let in “Jemmy,” who was always ready for mischief. 
* As I have mentioned Professor Jameson, I cannot continue my paper without taking this 
opportunity of expressing my gratitude for his kindness to me on many occasions, in connection 
with the advancement of my favourite study. 
