ORDER RODENTIA. 113 



several times in the year, the female producing two or three 

 young at a time. 



The migrations of this little species are not less extraor- 

 dinary than those of the Lemming, and take place at un- 

 certain periods. Dr. Pallas imagines that the migrations 

 of those inhabiting Kamtschatka may arise from some sen- 

 sations 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 proceeds in a di- 

 rect course westward, occasionally swimming with the ut- 

 most intrepidity over rivers, lakes, and even arms of the 

 sea. During these perilous adventures, some are drowned, 

 and others destroyed by water-fowl, fish, 8?c. : those which 

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

 selves, and then again set out on their migration. It is 

 said that the inhabitants of Kamtschatka, when they hap- 

 pen to find them in this fatigued situation, treat them with 

 the utmost tenderness, and endeavour by every possible 

 method to refresh and restore them to life and vigour. In- 

 deed none of the smaller animals are so much esteemed by 

 the Kamtschadales as these ; since to their labours they 

 owe many a delicious repast ; robbing their hoards in au- 

 tumn, and leaving there some kind of provision in return, 

 accompanied by some ridiculous presents byway of amends 

 for the theft. As soon as the migrating host of these ani- 

 mals has crossed the river Peuschim, at the head of the 

 gulf of that name, it turns southward, and reaches the 

 rivers Judoma and Ochot about the middle of July : the 

 space thus traversed appears astonishing, on consulting the 

 map of the country. The flocks during this time are so nu- 



