86 (ECONOMIC RAT. 



sometimes bring them out of their cells in order 

 to give them a more thorough drying in the sun. 

 The chief labour rests on the females ; the males 

 during the summer wandering about in a solitary 

 state, inhabiting some old nests occasionally, and 

 living during that period on berries, without 

 touching the hoards, which are reserved for win- 

 ter, when the male and female reside together in 

 the same nest. They are said to breed several 

 times in the year, the female producing two or 

 three young at a time. 



The migrations of this little species are not less 

 extraordinary than those of the Lemming, and 

 take place at uncertain periods. Dr. Pallas ima- 

 gines that the migrations of those inhabiting 

 Kamtschatka may arise from some sensations of 

 internal fire in that volcanic country, or from a 

 prescience of some unusual and bad season. 

 Whatever be the cause, the fact is certain : at such 

 periods they gather together, during the spring 

 season, in surprising numbers, except the few that 

 reside about villages, where they can pick up some 

 subsistence ; and this makes it probable that their 

 migrations, like those of the Lemming, are rather 

 owing to want of food. The mighty host pro- 

 ceeds in a direct course westward, occasionally 

 swimming with the utmost intrepidity over rivers, 

 lakes, and even arms of the sea. During these 

 perilous adventures, some are drowned, and others 

 destroyed by water-fowl, fish, &c. : those which 

 escape rest a while to bask, dry their fur, and re- 

 fresh themselves, and then again set out on their 



