. The animal kingdom; based upon the writings of the eminent naturalists, Audubon, Wallace, Brehm, Wood and others. Mammals. THE LEMMING. 695 The Lemming, Myodcs Icmnms (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 Le
. The animal kingdom; based upon the writings of the eminent naturalists, Audubon, Wallace, Brehm, Wood and others. Mammals. THE LEMMING. 695 The Lemming, Myodcs Icmnms (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 Please note that these images are extracted from scanned page images that may have been digitally enhanced for readability - coloration and appearance of these illustrations may not perfectly resemble the original Craig, Hugh. New York : Johnson & Bailey
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecade1890, booksubjectmammals, bookyear1897
