ABSTRACT
another tor the dung, and the third fur the young ones, that is a peculiar place tor the littering of their young ones; and this Water-rat over and befide her common nature with other Rats , doth fwim over Rivers, and feed upon herbs; and if at any time (he be hunted from her native biding and accuftomed lodging, then alfo fhe goeth among vulgar and common Rats and Mice, and feedeth upon fuch as they ea t : and (Belhnius faith) that there are great ftore of thefe in and Strymm> and that in calm nights when there are no windes,they walk to the ihores, & get up upon the banks, eating and gnawing fuch plants as grow near the waters; and if they hear any noife, they fuddenly leap into the waters again. He expreffeth alfo the figure of this Rat, which we have omitted becaufe it refembleth in all parts the common Rat, excepting the fnowt or beak which is rounder or blunter. Among fome of the Ancients alfo, there is mention made of this beaft, and no more. Therefore Ariftotle faith in the Arcadian Lufe, which is a City fo called, (as Stephanus writeth,) where Ma I amp us did wafh the daughters of Proetus, and delivered them from their madnefs: There is acer* tain Fountain, wherein do live Rats of the Earth, (they fhould fay Rats of the Water.) for hereunto agree both Pliny and Tbeophraflus. Likewife in a River of Caflinus, the ancient Wife-men, which were followersof Zoroaftres, made great account of the Hedgehog, but hated deadly the Waterrats, and faid, that he that could kill moft of them, was moft dear and acceptable to God. And furthermore they faid, that Dogs, Hens, and Hedgehogs, did proceed, and were attended from and by good Angels, and Water-rats by evill. And thus much fhall fuffice for the difcourfe of the Rat. The itory which enfueth is of ftrange and lefs known Mice; and therefore I will diftribute them after an alphabetical order, according to their feveral names.
