THE BEAVER. 
463 
share of the banquet, and make great havoc among their columns. It is a very remarkable 
fact that the reindeer 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 of the much-reduced ranks finally perish. Mr. Lloyd mentions that just before 
his visit to Wermeland, 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 the places of those which were drowned or otherwise 
killed in the preceding migration. 
The Lemming feeds upon various vegetable substances, such as grass, reeds, and lichens, 
being often forced to seek the last-named plant beneath the snow, and to make occasional 
air-shafts to the surface. Even when engaged in their ordinary pursuits, and not excited by 
the migratorial 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 character 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. 
The Collared Lemming ( Ouniculus torquatus ) is the only one of the genus found in 
America, and is identical with that of Northern Asia. The Cree Indians call it White Bear 
Mouse, It also is named Hair-tailed Rat, Hudson’s Rat, and Hudson’s Bay Lemming. In 
winter it is pure white. 
The family Haplodontidce is a very peculiar one, founded upon the existence of a single 
species of Rodent, inhabiting only the northwestern portion of the United States — in Wash- 
ington Territory, from the Pacific Ocean to the Rocky Mountains. 
The native name is “Sewellell its systematic designation Ilaplodon rufus. In general 
aspect it is not unlike the woodchuck ; its smaller head at once distinguishes it, as well as its 
inferior size. It burrows, and is gregarious in nature. Its voice is a shrill whistle ; its food 
of a vegetable nature. 
It was first brought to notice by Lewis and Clark, the U. S. explorers, in 1805. Mr. Gibbs, 
the ethnographer, visited the region inhabited by these rare creatures. He saw them in com- 
munities like those of the prairie dog. They sat upright at the mouths of their burrows, and 
whistled much like the latter animal. 
A very singular habit was noticed ; they cut a kind of herb, and laid the pieces in bundles 
on any neighboring log or prominence ; suggesting the frugal husbandry of the country 
matron, who cuts and dries her medicinal herbs. 
Its habits of breeding are not precisely known ; but it is thought they have at least three 
broods in a year. . 
The common Beaver has earned a world-wide reputation by the wonderful instinct which 
it displays, independently of its very great value in producing costly fur and perfume. 
This animal is found in the northern parts of Europe and Asia, but is found in the greatest 
profusion in North America. It is generally supposed that there is but one species of true 
Beaver, and that the Beaver of Europe and Asia is specifically identical with that of America, 
even though certain small differences of fur and coloring may be discerned between them. 
The social Beaver of Northern America is a truly wonderful animal, displaying a singular 
mixture of reason and instinct, together with a curious absence of both on occasions. The best 
account of this animal is to be found in Audubon and Bachman’ s valuable work on the quad- 
rupeds of North America, to which work I am indebted for the following particulars. 
The Beaver lives in societies, varying considerably in number, and united together in the 
