UTILITY OF THE COMMON MOLE. 



215 



almost pointed, and from the shoulder it gradually diminishes to the 

 insertion of the tail. The proportions of the gimlet are exactly the 

 same. The skull is depressed above, elongated and pointed, and the 

 snout continued beyond the maxillary and nasal bones; it is supported by 

 a little additional bone, produced by the ossification of the cartilage. Its 

 boring faculties are rendered still more effective by the ossified condition 

 of the ligament of the neck, which passes from the back : to the skull, 

 and which, in other animals is elastic. 



The form of the body is admirably adapted for its way of life, the fore part 

 is thick and very muscular, giving great strength to the action of the fore 

 feet, which are broad, bony, and sharp-pointed, (C,) wielded 

 by immensely powerful muscles, forming excavating instru- 

 ments far superior to the most perfect tools of art, 

 enabling it to dig its way with amazing force and 

 rapidity, either to pursue its prey or to elude the search 

 of its enemies. We have seen it when let loose in a 

 field instantly disappear into the earth, like a ghost 

 through the stage of a theatre, while a most active man with a spade 

 in vain attempted to pursue. 



The Mole is not only a miner, but it is an architect of no mean 

 skill, as an examination of its castle will shew. D represents a ground 

 plan, and E a perspective view of its fortress. The exterior of this 



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castle is a mound very much larger than that of ordinary Mole -hills. 

 Under the centre of this mound is a round chamber, in which our friend 

 spends his hours of repose; from this chamber are three openings leading 

 upwards to a circular gallery, from this upper gallery are five openings 



