RATS AND MICE. 22"

Rats and There are more than 300 varieties of rats and
Mice. mice, and they are found almost everywhere.
The rat is an irrepressible stowaway, and following toothsome
cargoes on board ship has made his way nearly all over the
world. This may be said, in a less degree, of the mouse.
The better known varieties of rats are the Brown Rat, the
Black Rat, the Water Rat, the Beaver Rat, the Musk Rat,
the Lemming, the Pouched Rat, &c., &c. The principal
varieties of the mouse are, the House Mouse, the Fieldmouse,
the Harvest Mouse, the African Mouse and the Dormouse.
The Rat The brown rat is the species common in
Family. England, and best known throughout the world.

It is said to have travelled from Persia to England less than
two hundred years ago and to have spread from thence to
other countries visited by English ships. It measures about
nine inches, and is of a light brown colour. It multiplies
very fast and once colonised is very difficult of extermination.
It is larger and stronger than the black rat which it found
in England when it came and which it has almost entirely
destroyed and replaced. The brown rat is often mistaken
for the water rat as it will take to the water on occasion
and is often found in ditches and watery places. The water
rat is common to central and northern Europe and is well
known in England and Scotland. It differs little from the
brown rat in appearance, and inhabits the banks of rivers
and ponds. The black rat is of a deep iron grey, or nearly
black. It is about seven inches long and in other respects
bears a close resemblance to the brown rat. The beaver
rat is a native of America and measures about fourteen
inches exclusive of tail. It resembles the beaver in form, is
fond of the water and swims well. At the approach of winter
it builds itself little dome-topped houses, in which it hibernates
in families. In the spring its flesh is good eating, but later
it acquires a musk-like flavour which is disagreeable. It is
easily tamed when young. The Muskovy musk rat is about