82 THE NATURALIST IN NORWAY. 



their long whiskers, twinkle their sharp little black 

 eyes, stand on their hind legs, and squeal shrilly, as if 

 they were about to contend in a savage combat. As a 

 proof of this combativeness, it is said that in the 

 summer of 1788, when a review of some cavalry regi- 

 ments was being held near Throndjem, the lemmings 

 made their appearance on the ground in great num- 

 bers, and as the soldiers gallopped about, the little 

 animals stood on their hind legs, and gave a great 

 squeal, as if they had been prepared to fight, if the 

 dragoons had dared to charge them. When the lem- 

 ming migrates, it goes straight forward, and nothing 

 impedes it. It climbs mountains, scrambles over, or 

 marches through houses, swims across rivers, lakes, 

 and fjords, and races down hills. It only travels by 

 night, and conceals itself by day, when it takes its 

 rest. Arrived at a broad river, lake, or fjord, it is 

 said that a number of the strongest form a bridge 

 across with their bodies, over which the weaker ones 

 pass. 



The lemming feeds on grasses and their seeds, as 

 well as on tender plants that grow on the ground. It 

 sometimes does great damage to the crops, for it is ex- 

 tremely partial to young cereals, viz. wheat, rye, and 

 barley ; but very little injury is done, unless it takes 

 up its abode for a considerable time in any particular 

 locality. 



Mr. Lloyd gives the following interesting account of 

 the destructive habits of this little animal, on the au- 

 thority of a Norwegian clergyman : " During certain 

 years the lemmings at times make their appearance 

 here (west coast of Norway), as well as in all the 

 country round about, in inconceivable numbers. The 



