MI&R.VTIOIir Al!fD H.IBITS OF THE NOUWEGIA]!? LEM^Stl^TO. 27 



On tlie Migration and Habits of the Norwegian Lemming. 

 By W. DuppA Crotch, Esq., M.A., E.L.S. 



[Read May 4, 1870.] 



Although mucli has been written and constantly repeated, with 

 reference to the habits and migrations of the Lemming, yet the 

 obscurity which hangs alike over its permanent home and the 

 motive of its journeys has never been completely dissipated ; and 

 I much fear that the present paper will rather suggest a new pro- 

 blem than prove a satisfactory solution of those already existing. 



During ten consecutive summers spent in Norway I have 

 three times lived literally in the midst of the lemmings, and 

 have even, though involuntarily, shared my bed with them ; thus I 

 am enabled to speak positively, so far, at least, as my observation 

 extends. 



The species to which these remarks apply rejoices, unfortunately, 

 in many an "alias ;" but perhaps the name Lemmus norvegicus* 

 will best suit the present purpose, especially as the native name 

 for the animal is " Lemander." This mouse, or rather vole, since 

 it belongs to the Arvicolse, resembles in colour and form a dimi- 

 nutive Gruinea-pig, and is extremely variable in its size and mark- 

 ings. It has long attracted the notice of writers, both on account 

 of its sudden appearance and its pugnacious and indomitable 

 disposition ; and the early description, " Victitat betulae nanae 

 araentis, lichene rangiferino et aliis, mordax, sibilat, hieme sub 

 nive currit, singulis circiter decern anuis, insigni gelu praesertim 

 imminente, universus animalium exercitus, autumno, noctu prae- 

 sertim linea recta migrat ; pauca tamen in montes redeunt," 

 has been usually followed and quoted, although, as will presently 

 appear, it leaves much to be desired. Olaus Magnus thought 

 that lemmings fell from the clouds, to which Eay rejoins, " mihi 

 minime probatur," adding that anatomical investigation had con- 

 vinced him that '* nature had not been such a niggard of her gifts 

 as to render such a method of generation necessary." 



Pennant f says that the Norwegian lemmings, which are larger 

 than the Eussian species, descend from the Kolen, marching in 

 parallel lines 3 feet apart ; they traverse Nordland and Finmark, 

 cross lakes and rivers, and gnaw through hay- and corn-stacks 



* [Even more correctly Myodeti lemmus (Linn.). — Ed.] 

 t Synop. of Quad. 1771, p. 271 ; Hist. Quad. 1793, p. 198. 



8* 



