52 NATURAL HISTORY OF THE NEIGHBOURHOOD. 



at Kitley,Langdon,&c. are frequented by otters. 

 Genus, Ursus, the Bear kind. 



Sp. 11. Ursus Meles, or Badger. This is an animal 

 which has its retreats in secluded spots although, 

 certainly, at this day, but sparingly. For the 

 sake of a premium, the gamekeepers destroy 

 these animals, upon the pretence of their com- 

 mitting ravages among hares and pheasants; 

 but I have reason to doubt the accuracy of this 

 excuse. Such as are taken alive, by means of 

 bags placed at the entrance of their dens, are 

 sent to this and other towns to be sold to sport- 

 ing characters for trial of strength with their best 

 fighting dogs, and to publicans who have bad- 

 ger baits for the entertainment of their guests. 

 Retreats or " Holts" of the badger are to be 

 seen at Langdon Yealmpton &c. 

 (ieinix, Talpa, the Mole. 



Sp. 12. T l\il\}u Kitropa'f/, or Common Mole, is an ordi- 

 nary inhabitant of the garden and occasions 

 <jT<,at deformity in the paths and beds, by its 

 h i 1 locks ; it devours the roots and seeds of plants, 

 but this is compensated by its destruction of 

 earth worms and grubs of insects. It is not 

 quite confined to cultivated lands, for I lately 

 saw the usual indication of a colony of moles 

 on one of the highest Tors of Dartmoor. 

 The variety termed Cream-coloured Mole has 

 been found in a certain field near Knighton. 

 Genus, Sorex, the Shrew. 



Sp. 13. Sorex Arcmeus, or Common Shrew, is frequent- 

 ly observed, by the loiterer and inquisitive, 

 running amongst the stones in old dry walls 

 and heaps of rubbish, as at Catdown, Plym- 

 stock, &c. In the autumnal months we seethe 

 shrews lying dead in great numbers, a circum- 

 stance which depends on the influence of some 

 agent with which we are not acquainted. 

 The Water Shrew has not, I think, been noticed 

 in this country. PHILOPHYSICUS. 



To be continued. 



