ABSTRACT
SEeing there are two kindes of Ra t s , one of the earth called Rattm wrreftrit, and the other of the water called Rattm Fluviatilk, of which we are now to entreat, being alfo called of the Latines, Mm aquaticus ; by the Germans, Twajfermaut, and Wafferrat; by the Italians 9 Sorgomogange; by the French, Rattf eau. This beaft hunteth fifhes in the Winter , and have certain caves in the water fides, and banks of the Rivers or Ponds: For which occafion it being feen in the waters, deceiveth their expedation which look for the return of it to the land. And this beaft hath been forgotten by the Ancients, for they have left of it no defcription nor ftory, becaufe it liveth partly in the water, and partly on the land, and therefore he faid true, tha t fpakeof the habitation and place of abode of this beaft, in this f o r t ; Ego non in fluvik, nec alik aquk magnk, fed parvk tantum rivk atq; herbofts omnium ripk , hoc animal frequent i jjjmum verfari audio. That is to f a y ; That this beaft doth not keep in great Waters or Rivers, but in fmall and little currents and Ponds, where abundance of grafs and other weeds do grow on the fides and banks: Pliny attributeth that t o the Water - ra t , which is proper to the Tor toi fe ; for indeed there is fome fimilitude of natures bewixt thefe beafts, with this exception, that the females in this kinde have three vifible pafTagesfor their excrements, one for their urine,
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