The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1857-01-17
Natural listorp.

GIVE last week wrote an item to the
boys in regard to the wild animals of
Cecil county. In the list given we did
not, of course, include the common
mouse aud rat, which are such pests
about our houses and grsnaries, for the
reason that they ara imported stock and
not original natives here.
Below we give, from an exchange, an
interesting chapter on the larger of these
mischievous tribes. 1t is probable that
the enemy which is externinating it i'll
France, may reach our country by emf
grafton, as did the Norway gentlemen,
so long an unlimited and unwelcome
guest.
RATS. "A systematic attack was
made, not long ago, at New Haven, Con-
nccticut, by rats, on some children, each
singing out his victim, and jumping with
simultaneous squeal upon the little
girls playing in the yard. A little boy
of two years old was caught by the knee,
and held until the child's grandfather
went to his assistance, and then, as the
rat scorned to run, it had to be killed.
Attempts had been made to poison these
rats, with partial success, and it may
have been in retaliation for their poison
Gus attempts that this concerted charge
was made.
The rat is one Of the most interesting
animals on the globe. In Europe lie
makes historical cras-diiferent hordes
of invaders brought their peculiar rats
i'll their traiu.--Europe has seen the
rats of the GJths, the Vandals and
the Huns. Europe now has its Norman
rat, and its Tartar rat, and the great
rat of the Partisan sewer is of recent
date and Muscovite origin.
The brown rat, otherwise known as
the Norman rat, has established itself
all over the world, by the commerce of
civilized times.-It had possession of
France for the last six or seven cen
turtles: but within the last it has found
its master in the Muscovitc and Tartar
rat, called in Paris the rat Of Montau-
con.-These new rats, previously un-
known to Europe, descended from the
heights of the great central plateau of
Asia, from which the Hun and Mongol
horscman descended, who spread right
and left, and took possession of Rome
on the one hand and Pekin on the other.
The establishment of the Muscovite
rat in France commenced with the extir-
patton of the brown or Norman rat
that rat has almost disappeared, and is
found only in the cabinets of the curious
collectors-while the Muscovite rat is
daily increasing in size, ferocity, and
courage. The Russian rat devours the
dog, the cat, and attacks the child
asleep. The corpse of a man is a dainty
for this beast, and it always commences
by eating out the eyes.-Its tooth is
most venonlous: and the author from
whom we derive most of this article
states that he has known of ten cases of
anlputation Of the leg, necessitated by
the bite of this rat.
The cat turns its tail upon this rat,
in its most ferocious state. A good rat
terrier is the best destroyer, but for
tuuately, rats and ratophagus, eat one
another, fight duels, and grand destruc-
tive battles. Were it otherwise they
would make this world an unplea sant
place for man to live in. We should
have to fight our way, and not unfre-
qucntly like the Archbishop of Mayence,
should be dragged from our beds at mid
night, by an army Of rats, and devoured
upon the spot.
The rat is the emblem Of misery, muir.
der and rapine-a cannibal and robber
devoted to the principle Of war spoila-
ton. Will it ever disappear