80 LEMMING RAT. 



The major part, however, of these hosts is de- 

 stroyed by various enemies, and particularly by 

 owls, hawks, and weesels, exclusive of the num- 

 bers which perish in the waters ; so that but a small 

 number survive to return, which they are some- 

 times observed to do, to their native mountains. 



In their general manner of life they are not 

 observed to be of a social disposition, but to re- 

 side in a kind of scattered manner, in holes be- 

 neath the surface, without laying up any regular 

 provision, like some other animals of this tribe. 

 They are supposed to breed several times in a 

 year, and to produce five or six at once. It has 

 been observed that the females have sometimes 

 brought forth during their migrations, and have 

 been seen carrying some in their mouths, and 

 others on their backs. In some parts of Lapland 

 they are eaten, and are said to resemble squirrels 

 in taste. 



It was once believed that these animals fell 

 from the clouds at particular seasons, and some 

 have affirmed that they have seen a Lemming in 

 its descent ; but an accident of this kind is easily 

 accounted for, on the supposition of a Lemming 

 escaping now and then from the claws of some 

 bird which had seized it, and thus falling to the 

 ground ; a circumstance which is said not unfre- 

 quently to take place Avhen the animals are seized 

 by crows, gulls, &c. 



