80 EXPERT SWIMMERS. 



lemmings, on these their migrations, always march straight 

 ahead, and are never to be diverted by any obstacle from 

 the course they have marked out for themselves at setting 

 out. Rivers and lakes they cross by swimming; and if a 

 boat comes in their way, they run in at one end or side 

 of it, and out again at the other. Rocks and fences are 

 surmounted by climbing ; and even should it be needful to 

 make detours to avoid precipices, they, so soon as the 

 impediment is passed, continue their course in precisely the 

 same direction as before. For the most part they journey 

 during the night, but occasionally also in the day time ; and 

 considering their very diminutive size, get over a greater 

 extent of ground than could be supposed possible. If, 

 during their wanderings, they meet with obstacles of any 

 kind, they display wonderful sagacity in overcoming them. 

 Their sight would seem to be very piercing, for should 

 they come to a lake, or fjord, not more than three or four 

 miles in width, they at once, and without the slightest hesi- 

 tation, plunge into the water, and make for the opposite 

 shore. But if, on the contrary, the breadth is considerable, 

 they follow the strand for a while as if distrusting their 

 own powers in the hope of finding a narrower passage, 

 and continue until their patience becomes exhausted, when 

 they take to swimming. Provided the water be pretty 

 smooth, they keep together in a dense mass, and thus the 

 living column breasts the flood. 



Sir A. de Capell Brooke, on the authority of his friend, M. 

 Knudtzon of Drontheim, who was, he says, an eye-witness to 

 the fact, gives a somewhat marvellous account of the pro- 

 ceedings of the lemmings on these occasions. " Their method 

 of crossing rivers is as follows. On arriving at the edge of 



