84 RAVAGES. 



took up their abode under the snow, where they formed 

 numerous runs. During their stay with me they committed 

 very great havoc" in the corn-fields, the hay-stacks, and in 

 the barns." 



" In places where they sojourned during the winter," so 

 we are informed by M. Soderhjelm, " they devoured forage 

 in the barns and outhouses, as also the reots of the grass in 

 the pasture fields, where at that inclement season they had 

 their runs under the snow. Their unwelcome visit had a 

 very injurious effect on the crops of the succeeding autumn. 

 According to the accounts of the Jemtlanders, the lemmings 

 in 1823 very seriously damaged various cultivated fields in 

 the vicinity of Storsjon, where the grass, instead of being 

 green, became altogether grey." 



" During certain years," says the Rev. J. Heyerdahl of 

 Stangvig, in Western Norway, " the lemmings at times 

 make their appearance here as well as in all the country 

 round about, in inconceivable numbers. The year 1827, 

 more especially, they did an immensity of injury, having 

 arrived when the grain was still on the ground. In 1834 

 they did less damage, because the harvest was then for the 

 most part housed. Their ravages might almost be compared 

 to those of the Egyptian grasshopper. In 1827, people 

 erected scaffolding that the corn might be raised above the 

 ground ; but they nevertheless climbed up to the sheaves, 

 where they sat as thick as birds. What with battles amongst 

 themselves and with the cats, they made such a noise near to 

 the parsonage, that it was difficult to sleep, and if the door 

 was left open they entered the house itself. They never 

 descend to the valley until the grass on the fjalls is withered 



