132 Proceedings of the Royal Physical Society. 
(x., p. 278) was in great numbers at Faldonside in 1883, 
would also be present. 
Since writing the above in April last, I learn that the 
Border counties are again the scene of another Vole plague. 
The subject is thus referred to in an article in the Scotsman 
of 12th November :—“ Some three months ago reference was 
made to what is spoken of and felt as the mice plague on the 
Borders, and which was then affecting to a serious extent 
most of the farms in the western portion of Selkirkshire and 
the adjacent districts of Dumfries and Roxburgh shires. Since 
then there has been no mitigation of the pest, but on the 
contrary a great extension of the area over which it is spread, 
and an intensifying of its ravages. From inquiries made 
within the past week, it has been ascertained that the outlook, 
as the winter approaches, becomes more and more serious. 
The vermin have multiplied greatly during the summer, and 
they now swarm in numbers which defy computation. The 
high-lying farms on the western border of Selkirkshire seem 
to be suffering most. . . . Throughout the summer, grass 
and other herbage chiefly were preyed upon. The grassy 
farms have suffered, and are suffering most. The vermin do 
not seem to live on the lea grasses or dry hill-sides ; the grassy 
bogs and white bent are the places where they abound most. 
Wherever the ground is what the shepherds speak of as ‘ not 
bare, there they swarm in greatest numbers. They nibble 
and gnaw the long grass close to the ground, and the land is 
rendered altogether valueless for winter and spring feeding. 
Hundreds of acres of the best pasture land on many farms 
have thus for the present been totally destroyed, and whole 
hill-sides wear a blasted and desolate aspect, the ground being 
perfectly riddled by their holes and runs. In the autumn 
months hayricks were infested by the mice in countless 
numbers, and the hay has in many cases, as one observer 
expressively says, been minced into perfect chaff. Then the 
corn-stooks swarmed with them, as many as four or five nests 
being frequently found in a single sheaf. Now they have 
found their way to stackyards, barnyards, and outhouses, and 
are doing vast damage there. Even in gardens they are 
destroying the roots of plants and flower bulbs. . . . To 
