82 on the Lapland marmot. “May 23. 
known to produce ravages, that can in. any respect 
be compared with those of the torrid zone, 
This surprising animal is found only in the north- 
ern parts of Europe and Asia. It is sometimes seen 
in Norway, Sweden, and ‘Lapland, bursting forth 
from its concealed retreats, like.a mountain torrent 
surmounting its banks by a thunder fhower, and 
overspreading a vast extent of couptry, carrying 
ruin and ‘desolation wherever it goes, Fortunately 
its appearance is only periodical, and not very fre- 
quent, or these regions, which in other respects are 
inhospitable to man, must have been totally abandon~ 
ed.by him. As the retreats where they inhabit for 
ordinary, and where they breed, have not hitherto 
been fully explored by any naturalist, and as their 
irruptions are so sudden, and their numbers so great 
as to exceed imagination, we cannot be surprised at 
the ignorant natives seriously believing that they are 
generated in the clouds; from whence it has been 
supposed they are poured down in fhowers ef rain, 
Myriads of them march together; and, like a tor- 
rent which nothing can resist, their course is mark- 
ed with ruin and desolation ;—neither fire nor water 
prevent their progrefs. They go streight forward, 
in regular lines, about three feet asunder, and genes 
rally in a south-east direction. They swim acrofs 
jakes and rivers,—no opposition impedes them. If 
thousands are destroyed, thousands supply their pla. 
~ ees,—the void is quickly filled up, and their number - 
does not appear to be diminifhed. They persist in 
their course, in spite of every obstacle ; and, if pre- 
yented from proceeding, they either by afsiduity sur 
mount it, or die in the attempt. Their march is 
