140 THE LEMMING. 
Europe, such as Lapland, Norway, and Sweden, are subjected tu 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 
eer look upon them as having been rained from the clouds upon the 
earth. 
Driven onwards by some overpowering instinct, these vast hordes travel 
in a straight line, permitting nothing but a smooth perpendicular wall or rock 
to turn them from their course. If they should happen to meet with any 
living being, they immediately attack, knowing no fear, but only urged by 
undiscriminating rage. Any river or lake they swim without hesitation, and 
rather seem to enjoy the water than to fear it. Ifa stack or a corn-rick 
should stand in their way, they settle the matter by eating their way through 
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LEMMING.—(Myéddes Lemmus.) 
it, and will not be turned from their direct course even by fire. The country 
over which they pass is utterly devastated by them, and it is said that cattle 
will not touch the grass on which a Lemming has trodden. 
These migrating hosts are accompanied by clouds of predaceous birds, and 
by many predaceous quadrupeds, who find a continual feast spread for them 
as long as the Lemmings are on their pilgrimage. While they are crossing 
the rivers or lakes, the fish come in for their share of the banquet, and make 
great havoc among their columns. It is a very remarkable fact that the rein- 
deer is often seen in chase of the Lemmings ; and the Norwegians say that 
the deer is in the habit of eating them. This statement, however, seems to 
be rather of doubtful character. The termination of these extraordinary 
migrations is generally in the sea, where the survivors o! the much-reduced 
ranks finally perish. Mr. Lloyd mentions that just before his visit to Werme- 
land, the Lemming had overrun the whole country. ‘The primary cause 
of these strange migrations is generally thought to be hunger. It is fortunate 
for the country that these razzias only occur at rare intervals, a space of 
some ten or fifteen years generally elapsing between them, as if to fill up 
