QUADRUPEDS. 77 
THE RAT. (Mus decumans.) 
THE rat is about four times as large as a mouse, but of a 
dusky colour, with white under the body ; his head is 
longer, his neck shorter, and his eyes comparatively 
bigger. These animals are so attached to our common 
dwellings, that it is almost impossible to destroy the 
breed, when they have once taken a liking to any particular 
place. Their produce is enormous ; as they have from 
ten to twenty young ones at a litter, and this thrice a 
year. Thus their increase is such, that it is possible for a 
single pair (supposing food to be sufficiently plentiful, 
and that they had no enemies to lessen their numbers) 
to amount, at the end of two years, to upwards of a mil- 
lion ; but an insatiable appetite impels them to destroy 
each other; the weaker always falls a prey to the stronger ; 
and the large male Rat, which usually lives by itself, is 
dreaded by those of its own species as their most formi- 
dable enemy. The Rat is a bold and fierce little animal, 
and when closely pursued, will turn and fasten on its as- 
sailant. Its bite is keen, and the wound it inflicts is pain- 
ful and difficult to heal, owing to the form of its teeth, 
which are long, sharp, and of an irregular form. 
A gentleman, some time ago, travelling through Meck- 
lenburgh, was witness to a very singular circumstance 
