THE LEMMING. 317 



One of the commonest of these little creatures is 

 the lemming (Myodes Lemmus) * an animal belonging 

 to the order "Rodentia," about the size of a rat; of 

 these there are probably several varieties, and one of 

 these, the ringed lemming (M. Torquatus], is stated 

 by Sir George Nares to be found in great abundance 

 throughout the far northern regions, where it was 

 traced to the extreme point attained by the 

 expedition under his command, f 



"We find their holes (he says) everywhere, apparently made 

 for the purpose of ventilation, for they do not often appear 

 on the surface at this season" (winter) "they appear to be 

 usually contented with the exercise they get in the hollow 

 space under the snow, where the temperature is very little 

 below zero, and their nests must be considerably warmer" 

 and again "The Lemmings are evidently feeding under 

 the snow, for the few tracks do not point towards the patches 

 of vegetation left uncovered." ** 



The enormous numbers in which these animals some- 

 times swarm, might appear to many people almost 

 incredible. In Lapland, and in certain districts of Nor- 

 way and Sweden, they sometimes assume the propor- 

 tions of a regular plague ; visiting districts of country 

 where they are ordinarily quite unknown, at intervals 

 of from 5 to 20, or more years ; at which times the 

 country is 



" literally overrun by an army of these little creatures, which 

 steadily and slowly advance, always in the same direction, 

 and regardless of all obstacles, swimming rivers, and even 

 lakes, several miles in breadth; and committing considerable 



* Encycl. Brit., 6th Edition, Vol. xiv, p. 436. (Art. "The Lemming"), 

 f Lat. 83 20' 26'' N. 



Voyage to the Polar Sea, by Capt. Sir Geo. Nares, R.N., 1878, 

 Vol. i,'p. 238. 



** J6ut. t Vol. i, p. 241. 



