HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 



375 



The LEM1NG, or Lapland MARMOT. 



This wonderful little animal is found only in the nor- 

 thern parts of Europe and Afia ; and is fometimes feeti 

 in immenfe numbers, overfpreading large tradts of coun- 

 try, in Norway, Sweden, and Lapland. But as its ap- 

 pearance is at very uncertain periods, and the fource 

 from whence it is derived has not been hitherto explored 

 by any naturalift, its exiftence has been ferioufly attri- 

 buted, by fuperftitious ignorance, to the generation of 

 the clouds, from whence, it has been fuppofed, it was 



poured down in mowers of rain Myriads of them 



march together ; and, like a torrent which nothing can 

 refift, their courfe is marked with ruin and defolation. 

 Neither fire nor water prevents their progrefs. They go 

 ftraight forward, in regular lines, about three feet afun- 

 der, and generally in a fouth-eaft direction : They fvvim 

 acrofs lakes and rivers : No oppofition impedes them. If 

 thoufands are deftroyed, thoufands fupply their place : 

 The void is quickly filled up ; and their number does not 

 appear diminifhed. They perfift in their courfe, in fpite 

 of every obftacle; and if prevented from proceeding, 

 they either by affiduity furmount it, or die in the at 

 tempt. — Their march is moftly in the night. They reft 

 during the day, and devour every root and vegetable they 



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