Tlie Loves of the Moles. 213 



ART. II.— The Loves of the Moles. Abridged from the Cours 

 d'Histoire Naturelle des MammifereSy of M. Geoffroy St 

 HiLAiRE. (With a Plate.) 



Frequently as the operations of the mole ( Talpa europeed) 

 are brought under our notice, by the hillocks which it throws up 

 on the surface of the ground, and destructive as are its ravages 

 in the districts it infests, the habits of this animal have attracted 

 the attention of few persons, excepting, perhaps, its professed 

 destroyers; and, indeed, it is to a mole-catcher, M. Henri le 

 Court, that we are principally indebted for what information we 

 possess on this subject.* 



Our popular histories of the habits of animals teem with 

 accounts of the architectural instinct and ingenious operations of 

 the beaver, — how it makes bridges and raises dykes, by the 

 margin of the stream, to serve as a bulwark to its subterraneous 

 dwelhng, and how its wonderful faculties are adapted to the 

 circumstances in which it is placed. Not less characteristic and 

 surprising are the habits of the mole, with any particular account 

 of which, in the English language, we are, however, unacquainted; 

 and we are, for this reason, induced to believe, that a short 

 notice of the natural history of this animal, as observable at this 

 season of the year, may not be unacceptable to our readers. 



The mole pairs in March ; and this, the great object of the 

 existence of all animals, secondary to none, excepting the 

 necessary continuation of the life of the individual, brings into 

 play the most remarkable habits. Dormant during the winter, 

 in the habitation of the preceding year, the mole arises with the 

 sun of spring, and prepares for the great purpose of its being. 

 The cycle of its yearly habits runs through the course of burrow- 

 ing, pairing, breeding ; and again the mole immures itself in its 

 winter dwelling. Beautiful example of a mechanical series of 

 actions, excited by stimuli, which are imperceptible to any eye 

 but that of Him who ordained all things; but which, depending 

 not upon the volition of the animal, requires no education, and is 

 as perfectly performed in the first year of pairing, as at any after 

 period of its life I 



It is in the study of organization alone, however, that we can 

 ever hope to have this mystery solved ; and when we look into 

 the structure of the mole, and observe how admirably several of 

 its organs are adapted to its mode of life, we feel some assurance 

 that the way towards knowledge is open, and that all our labour 

 is jiot vain. 



Burrowing, or digging, is the leading feature in the habits of 

 the mole. An insectivorous animal, it burrows for food, for the 



* Vide Le Court, de la taupe, de ses mceurs, de ses habitudes, et des moyens 

 de la detruire. Edit, par Aut- Alexis Cadet-de-Vaux. 12mo. Paris, 1803. 



