i 9 4 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY 



situated on the upper part of the watersheds of the suffering 

 counties, had assumed formidable dimensions. During 1891, 

 the pastures on these farms were being destroyed. By the 

 end of the same year, the greater part of the whole remaining 

 affected area was suffering seriously. The numbers of the 

 destroying rodent, as a rule, reached their highest point in the 

 summer of 1892. In the autumn of that year, they began 

 to decrease steadily; and by August last they had disappeared. 

 It is proper to give a few specific instances in illustration 

 of these statements, taken from farms over the whole infested 

 area. Each instance commences with the time when the 

 numbers began to assume the dimensions of a plague. 



I. Teviot District. — 1. Howpasley. — Began Autumn 1890, 

 and Spring 1891. At worst Autumn 1891 and Spring 1892. 

 Diminution from May till August 1892. Increase from September 

 to November of that year, then gradually diminished. Disappeared 

 last May. 2. Falnash. — Began 1890. Worst from November 1891 

 to May 1892. Gradually diminished from October 1892. Dis- 

 appeared May last. 3. Commonside. — Began 1890. Worst Winter 

 of 1 89 1 and Spring and Summer of 1892. Disappeared gradually 

 between Autumn of 1892 and last February. 4. Carlenrig. — Began 

 1 89 1. Worst Spring and Summer 1892. Disappeared gradually 

 between Autumn 1892 and last April. 5. Shankend {Slitrig). — 

 Began 1891. At its height last Spring. Began to decline in May 

 last. Had disappeared by August. 6. West Redfordgreen. — Began, 

 commencement of 1892. Worst June 1892. Decline noticed last 

 Spring. Disappeared last April. 7. District and Liddesdale. — Mr. 

 John Martin, farmer, Carlenrig, informs me that, after the plague had 

 ceased on his farm it was still bad on farms in Slitrig and in Liddes- 

 dale. 



II. Ettrick. — 1-9. Potburn, Broadgarhill, Overkirkhope, Dal- 

 gleish ( Over a?id Nether), Gair, Midge hope, West Bticcleuch, Wardlaw, 

 and Annelshope. — Began in 1890. Ended last Spring. 10. 

 Scabcleach. — Began 1891. Worst August 1891-92. Decline after 

 August 1892, rapid at first, then slower. Disappeared last April. 

 11. Glenkerry. — Began 1891. Worst Autumn 1891 and Spring 

 1892. Disappeared between October 1892 and last April. 12. 

 Wardlaw. — Began 1890. At worst August and September 1892. 

 Disappeared from end of 1892 to March 1893. 13. East Buccleuch. 

 — Began 1891. At worst Spring and Summer of 1892. Dis- 

 appeared gradually from Autumn of 1892 till last Spring. 14-15. 

 Newburgh and Crosslee. — Began 1890. Worst Autumn 1891-92. 

 Gradually disappeared between Autumn and April last. 



