Indeed, it is in many respects a very remarkable creature, and
we may think ourselves fortunate that we have the opportunity of
studying its habits and structure.
There is much more in the animal than meets the eye, and we cannot
examine its life-history without at the same time touching upon that of
several other creatures. No science stands alone, neither does any
animal, however insignificant it may appear to be; and we shall find
that before we have done with the water-rat, we shall have had something
to say of comparative anatomy, ornithology, ichthyology, entomology and
botany, beside treating of the connection which exists between man and
the lower animals, and the reciprocal influence of civilisation and
animal life.
In the first place, let us define our animal.
What is a water-rat, and where is its place in zoological systems of the
present day? Its name in science is _Arvicola amphibius_. This title
tells its own story.
Though popularly called a rat, the animal has no right to the name,
although, like the true rat, it is a rodent, and much resembles the rat
in size and in the length and colour of its fur.
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