HIS MANSION. 343 



but makes open cuttings at short intervals, about 

 four or five inches long ; and now we shall see the 

 use of those curiously-formed scraper-like hind- 

 feet. 



As he digs out the tunnel with his trowel- 

 hands, he throws back the earth towards his hind- 

 feet; these, from their peculiar shape, enable him 

 to back this dirt out of the hole, using them like 

 two scrapers only that he pushes the dirt away, 

 instead of pulling it towards himself. Having 

 backed the dirt clear of the mouth of the hole, he 

 throws it out over the edge of the open cutting ; 

 after having dug in some distance and finding, I 

 daresay, the labour of backing -out rather irk- 

 some he digs up through the ground to the sur- 

 face, makes another open cutting, and then begins 

 a > new hole or tunnel, and disappears into the 

 earth again. When he has gone as far from his 

 dormitory as he deems wise, he again digs through, 

 and clears away the rubbish. This road is now 

 complete, so he goes back again to his central 

 mansion, to begin others at his leisure. 



It is very difficult to watch the movements 

 and discover the feeding-time, or what he feeds 

 on, of an animal which lives almost wholly under- 

 ground in the daytime ; but I am pretty sure 

 these tunnels are made for and used as roadways. 



