The Bat 101 
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 million ; but an 
insatiable appetite impels them to destroy each other ; 
the weaker always fall a prey to the stronger ; and the 
large male Eat, which usually lives by itself, is dreaded 
by those of its own species as their most formidable 
enemy. The Rat is a bold and fierce little animal, and 
when closely pursued, will turn and fasten on its assailant. 
Its bite is keen, and the wound it inflicts is painful and 
difficult to heal, owing to the form of its teeth, which 
are long, sharp, and of an irregular form. 
It digs with great facility and vigour, making its way 
with rapidity beneath the floors of our houses, between 
the stones and bricks of walls, and often excavating the 
foundations of a dwelling to a dangerous extent. There 
are many instances of their totally undermining the most 
solid mason-work, or burrowing through dams which 
had for ages served to confine the waters of rivers and 
canals. 
A gentleman, some time ago, travelling through Meck- 
lenburgh, was witness to a very singular circumstance 
respecting one of- these animals, in the post-house at New 
Hargarel. After dinner, the landlord placed on the floor 
a large dish of soup, and gave a loud whistle. Imme- 
diately there came into the room a mastiff, an Angora 
cat, an old raven, and a large Rat with a bell about its 
neck. They all four went to the dish, and without 
disturbing each other, fed together ; after which, the dog, 
cat, and Rat lay before the fire, while the raven hopped 
about the room. The landlord, after accounting for the 
familiarity which existed among these animals, informed 
his guest that the Rat was the most useful of the four ; 
for that the noise he made had completely freed the 
house from the Ra + .s and mice with which it had been 
before infested. 
