The Migration of the Lemming

Abstract

DR. ANDREW WILSON, in referring to my letter on the Norwegian lemming, is under the very natural misapprehension—which I formerly shared—that “only a miserable remnant of the original swarm” reach the sea. Now, although it is true that throughout their pilgrimage they are exposed to the attack of every rapacious bird, beast, and biped, and that even the Rendyr, which is by no means rapacious, never misses the opportunity of obtaining a bonne bouche of grass à la saur krout from their paunch, yet so prolific are the lemmings at this time that their numbers increase despite their enemies; some of which, be it remembered, do not dare to follow them when they leave the fjeld. During the last great migration I noticed that the little pilgrims became much more numerous as they advanced towards the fjord; but probably no single individual of those who began the exodus lives to share its fate—only the inherited impulse survives in the offspring. These animals may live in captivity for two years; mine, at least, did so; but, so far as I know, no one else has succeeded in keeping them nearly so long; and the reasons are curious. In the first place, they fight with each other incessantly, and irrespective of sex; and secondly, they invariably defile their supply of water, so that unless this can be made running, they are sure to perish.