Abstract
A 1957 publication by Wing brings to light the existence of information about cyclic populations of Norwegian lemmings- (Lemen), mice (Mus), and "rodent" (Smagnagere) which reaches as far back as 1578. This information supports the assumption that cyclic populations have probably been in existence for many hundreds of years. However, documented proof of such cycling can be traced back only to 1578, and even here, the evidence is scattered. The cycles observed by Wing (1957) were determined to be about 3.86 years in length. Populations of such regular cycling must have some means by which they regulate their cycles to this 3.86-year pattern.