of the latter range of mountains — i.e. in the Mediterranean sub- region — I am unable to say.
The Elephant, Elephas .
The Elephant is mentioned three times in Troilus and Cressida as an adjective or epithet, and once in Julius Ccesar, Act ii., Scene 1.
Ulysses. "The elephant hath joints, but none for courtesy: his legs are legs for necessity, not for flexure."— Troilus and Cressida, Act ii., Scene 3.
The Rat, Mus rattus.
In all probability the only rat known to Shakspeare was the old English Black Rat, now nearly if not quite extinct. It is frequently alluded to in the plays. King Lear pathetically exclaims :—
"Why should a dog, a horse, a rat, have life,
And thou no breath at all?"
King Lear. Act v., Scene 3.
The Mouse, Mus musculus.
The Common Mouse and Field Mice are repeatedly mentioned by Shakspeare.
"Look, look, a mouse!
Peace, peace ; — this piece of toasted cheese will do 't."
King Lear. Act iv., Scene 6.
The Dormouse, Mus avellanarius,
Occurs only once, as an adjective — viz. in Twelfth Night, Act iii., Scene 2 —
Fabian. "She did show favour to the youth in your sight only to exasperate you, to awake your dormouse courage, to put fire in your heart, and brimstone in your liver."
The Squirrel, Sciurus europaus.
Titana says : —
"I have a venturous fairy that shall seek
The squirrel's hoard, and fetch thee new nuts."
Mercutio, speaking of the fairy Queen Mab, describes —
"Her chariot is an empty hazel-nut
Made by the joiner squirrel."
