THE LEMMING. 695 



The Lemming, Myodcs lanmus (Plate LIV), is the most mysterious 

 animal in all Scandinavia. 



At uncertain and distant intervals of time, many of the northern parts 

 of Europe, such as Lapland, Norway, and Sweden, are subjected to a 

 strange invasion. Hundreds of little, dark, mouse-like animals sweep 

 over the land, like clouds of locusts suddenly changed into quadrupeds, 

 coming from some unknown home, and going no one knows whither. 

 These creatures are the Lemmings, and their sudden appearances are so 

 entirely mysterious, that the Norwegians look upon them as having 

 been rained from the clouds upon the earth. 



The Lemming feeds upon various vegetable substances, such as grass, 

 reeds, and lichens, being often forced to seek the last-named plant be- 

 neath the snow, and to make occasional air-shafts to the surface. Even 

 when engaged in their ordinary pursuits, and not excited by the migra- 

 torial instinct, they are obstinately savage creatures. Mr. Metcalfe 

 describes them as swarming in the forest, sitting two or three on every 

 stump, and biting the dogs' noses as they came to investigate the charac- 

 ter of the irritable little animals. If they happened to be in a pathway, 

 they would not turn aside to permit a passenger to move by them, but 

 boldly disputed the right of way, and uttered defiance in little sharp, 

 squeaking barks. 



The color of the Lemming is dark brownish-black, mixed irregularly 

 with a tawny hue upon the back, and fading into yellowish-white upon 

 the abdomen. Its length is not quite six inches, the tail being only half 

 an inch long. 



