ium, which, like the marum syriacum
in the case of cats, has a very extraordinary fascinating power on these
animals. The oil is extremely dear, and therefore very sparingly used.
It is exhaled in a small quantity in the place, and at the entrance of
it, where the rats are intended to be taken, particularly at the time
when they are to be last brought together in order to their destruction;
and it is used also, by smearing it on the surface of some of the
implements used in taking them, by the method before described, and the
effect it has in taking off their caution and dread, by the delight they
appear to have in it, is very extraordinary. It is usual, likewise, for
the operator to disguise his figure as well as scent, which is done by
putting on a sort of gown or cloak, of one colour, that hides the
natural form, and makes him appear like a post, or such inanimate thing;
which habit must likewise be scented as above, to overpower the smell of
his person; and besides this he is to avoid all motion, till he has
secured his point of having all the rats in his power. When the rats are
thus enticed and collected, where time is afforded, and the whole in any
house or outbuildings are intended to be cleared away, they are suffered
to regale on what they most like, which is ready prepared for them; and
then to go away quietly for two or three nights; by which means those
which are not allured the first night are brought afterwards, either by
their fellows, or the effects of the trailing, &c. and will not fail to
come duly again, if they are not disturbed or molested. But many of the
rat-catchers make shorter work, and content themselves with what can be
brought together in one night or two; but this is never effectual,
unless where the building is small and entire, and the rats but few in
number. With respect to the means of taking them when they are brought
together, they are various. Some entice them into a very large bag, the
mouth of which is sufficiently capacious to cover nearly the whole floor
of the place where they are collected; which is done by smearing some
vessel, placed in the middle of the bag, with oil of rhodium, and laying
in the bag baits of proper food. This bag, which before laid flat on the
ground, with the mouth spread open, is to be suddenly closed when the
rats are all in it. Others drive or frighten them, by slight noises or
motions, into a bag of a long form, the mouth of which, after all the
rats ar