306 * 
RAT. 
In Iceland, where berries are but thinly di- 
spersed, these little creatures are obliged to cross 
rivers to make their distant forages. In their re- 
turn with the booty to their magazines they are 
obliged to repass the stream, of which Mr. Olaffen 
gives the following account : — “ The party, which 
consists of from six to ten, select a flat piece of 
dried cow-dung, on which they place the berries in 
a heap in the middle ; then, by their united force, 
bring it to the water’s edge; and, after launching it, 
embark and place themselves round the heap, with 
their heads joined over it, and their backs to the 
water, their tails pendent in the stream, serving 
the purpose of rudders.” We cannot hesitate to 
credit this relation, when we consider the wonder- 
ful sagacity of the beaver, and think of the manage- 
ment of the squirrel, which, in cases of similar ne- 
cessity, make a piece of bark their boat, and tail 
their sail ! 
The migrations of these animals in certain years 
is as extraordinary a fact as any in natural-history. 
Mr. Pennant confines himself to those of Kamt- 
schatka, and informs us that they gather together in 
the spring in amazing numbers, except the few that 
are conversant about villages, where they can pick 
up some subsistence. This makes it probable that the 
country is over-stocked, and that they quit it for want 
of food. The mighty host proceeds in a direct course 
westward, and with the utmost intrepidity swims 
over rivers, lakes, and even arms of the sea : many 
