Much of the literature of the Pacific Islands contains some mention of a native rat, described as living in the bush or infest-ing the houses and feeding upon vegetables and fruit, but for the page 166most part no scientific description of the animal is attempted, nor is reference made to previous records in other islands. Although the rat is frequently mentioned, it has not in all cases been thought of sufficient interest to be indexed, and therefore many possible records are not apparent. The geographical distribution of the Pacific rat is so wide, and therefore of such interest, that I have thought it wise to include all definite localities met with during casual reading, to form a basis on which to build.

Before doing so, however, some notice of its identity is necessary.