There are 67 mammals within the confines of the country,
among them being 8 species of bat. Of these, the Scandinavian
bat (Vespertilio NUssoni) is found as far north as Tromso, and the
common long-eared bat (Plecotus auritus) up to the polar circle.
The other species are only found in the southern districts. Among
the insectivora are the hedgehog, which belongs especially to the
country about the Kristihnia Fjord. The only Norwegian species
of cat is the lynx, which occurs in unfrequented and mountainous
forests up to Yefsen. A great enemy of the reindeer is the glutton
(Gulo luscus), which inhabits the same tracts as the reindeer,
namely, the mountains of the north. The reindeer’s worst enemy,
however, is the wolf. In former times, wolves were very numerous
in the country, but about 1850 they suddenly disappeared, probably
owing to disease, from a great part of southern Norway, I t was
only at Boros that a stock was left, and from this there have
been emigrations from time to time. On the other hand, wolves
have never been absent from the north of Norway, and especially
Finmarken. The number, however, has varied here too.
The commonest beast of prey is the •common fox and its
relative the arctic fox (Cards lagopus), whose home is in the mountains,
and which only finds its way into the lowlands in the so-
called lemming-years. Bears were formerly. numerous, but, like
several other beasts of prey, are gradually disappearing. In some
districts, indeed, they are altogether exterminated. They are most
numerous now along the frontier from Trondhjem up to Tromso,
in Telemarken, and in the more inland fjord-districts of the west.
The common seal (Phoca vitulina) is the most\ general of its
kind in Norway. Next • comes the gray seal (Halichcerm grypus),
which has a large breeding-place on the Fro Islands. In former
times, the hunting of this seal formed a profitable occupation. All
the. arctic seals, and even the walrus, occasionally make their
appearance on our north coast. Of these, however, only the harp
seal (Phoca grcenlandiea) possesses any interest, as it has appeared
in recent years, in large flocks in the Varanger Fjord, at the time
of the codfisheries in April and May. Its arrival is much dreaded
by the fishermen, who declare that .it destroys the fish.
One of the most remarkable animals in the country is the
lemming (Myodes lemmus), which inhabits the mountain wastes.
In the north, however, it is found as far down as to the sea. In
ANIMAL L IF E . 77
ordinary years, even in its home, very little is to be seen of i t ;
but in certain years there is a very large production, so that the
mountains become over-populated, whereupon the great body of
lemmings set out to find more favourable conditions of life. During
their wanderings, they fall a prey to numerous ' enemies or to
disease, and none of them return to the mountains. In years of
unusually large migration, they sometimes overrun the lowlands,
and do a considerable amount of damage to the crops.
The beaver was formerly found over the whole country, but
is now confined to the Kristiansand diocese: The number may be
computed at about 100 animals. The largest stock’ of beavers is
found in the Nisser Biver.
The hare of Norway is the mountain hare (LepuS timidus),
which turns white in the winter. I t is found all over the country.
In Jsederen and Lister, there is a variety that; only turns partially
white in the winter, thus being less conspicuous against the bare
ground in these districts.
The ruminants are represented by only 3 species, the red deer,
the elk and the reindeer. The red deer is a true coast animal,
found along the west coast from Byfylke up to Namdal. The
number of this animal is computed at about 1200 animals, half
of which are found on Hitteren. Compared with the red deer of
Central Europe, the Norwegian one is not very large, nor has it
such large antlers, 12 points being rare with us. The elk, the
largest land mammal in Europe, has its home in the large pine
forests in the east, and northwards as far as Vefsen. Their number,
which has been on the decrease of late years, is computed at about
4000. In Namdalen, which is just now .one of the best elk districts,
animals’ with 28 points have been shot. The wild ’reindeer has
two fields of distribution, the mountains of the south, and west
Finmarken. I t is seriously on the decrease, owing to indiscriminate
hunting. Tame reindeer are kept especially in Finmarken and
Tromso, but in the south,: too, herds of tame reindeer are becoming
more numerous, as it. is the best manner of utilising the
great mountain wastes that lie too high for general pasture.
On the coasts of Norway large numbers of dolphins (JJel-
phinus aeutus and qlbirostris) are. often caught, as well as pilot
whales fMlobicephalm melas). and grampuses (Orca gladiator), thoSe
robbers of the sea, that are more rapacious' than sharks. Occasionally
the porpoise (Phoccena cum/munis) is shot. In Finmarken,'