ISO MOLE. Class I. 



creme colored breed is fometimes found in my lands 

 near Downing, 



The fmallnefs of the eyes fwhich gave occafion 

 to the ancients to deny it the fenfe of fight*,) is to 

 this animal a peculiar happinefs : a fmall decree of 

 vifion is fufficient for an animal ever deftined to 

 live under ground : had thefe organs been larger, 

 they would have been perpetually liable to injuries, 

 by the earth falling into them •, but nature, to pre- 

 vent that inconvenience, hath not only made them 

 very fmall, but alfo covered them very clofely 

 with fur. Anatomifts mention (befides thefe) a 

 third very wonderful contrivance for their fecurity ; 

 and inform us that each eye is furniflied with a 

 certain mufcle, by which the animal has power of 

 withdrawing or exerting them, according to its exi- 

 gencies. 



To make amends for the dimnefs of its fic-ht, 

 the mole is amply recompenfed, by the great per- 

 fedion of two other fenfes, thofe of hearing and of 

 fmelling : the firft gives it notice of the molt diftant 

 approach of danger: the other, which is equally 

 exquifite, direds it in the midft of darknefs to its 

 food : the nofe alfo, being very long and flender, 

 is well formed for thrufting into fmall holes, in 

 fearch of the worms and infers that inhabit them. 



* Aut ocuUs capti fodere cubllia talpae. Virg. Georgi i, 

 Or fightle/s moles have dug their chamber'd lodge. 



Thefe 



