Jasper County Democrat, Volume 5, Number 25, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 27 September 1902 — PHARAOH’S RATS. [ARTICLE]

PHARAOH’S RATS.

Carefully Barred from Landins by Specially Detailed Officers. As the result of an attempt to bar two innocept-looklng animals, a trifle larger than full-grown rats, from this port, the entire machinery of Collector Thomas’ office was set in motion yesterday, says the Philadelphia Inquirer. The creatures were Egyptian ichneumons, sometimes called Pharaoh’s rats. After a long consultation with his secretary, George Barton, the collector decided to refuse them admission and ordered them killed. This last order was subsequently rescinded at the pleading of their owner, the engineer of the British steamer Malbrldge, on which the animals arrived from Matanzas, Cuba. According to Collector Thomas, farmers throughout Pennsylvania may rejoice at the order, for had the ichneumons been admitted they would in time have become as great pests as the English sparrow. In Jamaica, where the animals came from, they were introduced some years ago for the purpose of exterminating vermin, but, the supply of the latter having fallen pretty low, the ichneumons turned their attention to chickens, ducks and other fowl.

As they are exceedingly productive, In all probability there would have been thousands of Ichneumons in the State within a year, and It was this consideration that decided Collector Thomas. When the steamer Malbrldge, with a cargo of sugar, arrived In the Delaware yesterday she was boarded by two customs officials. As they were walking along the deck they were suddenly confronted by two fierce animals about the size of a cat. They were of a gray color, except their legs, which were covered with a reddish brown hair. Inspector Brophy, who was one of the officers, said they resembled abnormally large rats. The latter discovered a ruling by Secretary of Agriculture Wilson, in which he tells of the danger of admitting these animals. It was then decided to kill them, but the engineer of the steamer pleaded for their lives, and his request was granted. In the meantime a customs officer Is detailed to watch them and prevent their escape. The ichneumon or mongoose is a habitant of Africa and Asia. It has long, weasel-like body and very short legs. In those countries it Is a great help In checking the multiplication of crocodiles by eating their eggs and their young. It attacks and kills the largest and most venomous reptiles.