122 THE LEMI.NO. 



their numbers : they generally move in lines, which are 

 about three feet from each other, and exactly parallel ; 

 their march is always directed from the north-west to 

 the south-cast, and they frequently cover above a 

 mile of ground, travelling by night, and resting during 

 the day. 



Wherever their motions are directed, nothing can 

 stop them : if a lake or river happens to interrupt their 

 progress, they altogether take to the water, and swim 

 to the other side; and it seems as if they were im- 

 pelled to push forward by some secret power which 

 prevented them from altering their course, or even 

 going out of the way ; for, if a fire impedes them, 

 they instantly plunge into the flames ; if a well, they 

 dart down it ; and, if a hay-stack, they begin eating 

 their way through it. Happily for mankind they do 

 not eat any thing that is prepared for human subsist- 

 ence ; and, if they make their passage through a house, 

 they will merely eat what roots and vegetables they 

 meet with in their way : if their journey happens to 

 Jie through a meadow, they destroy its verdure in a 

 very short time, and give it an appearance of being 

 burnt up, and strewed with ashes : if they are inter- 

 rupted in their course, and a man should imprudently 

 venture to attack one of them, the little animal is no 

 way intimidated by the disparity of strength, but furi- 

 ously flies at its opponent, with a barking noise like a 

 young puppy, and does not easily relinquish its hold. 



An enemy so numerous and destructive would soon 

 render the countries where they appear utterly uninha- 

 bitable, did it not fortunately happen that the same ra- 

 pacity that animates them to destroy the labours of 

 mankind, at length impels them to devour each other : 

 after having committed devastations that appear incre. 



