TALPA ; OR, REMAEKS ON THE HABITS OF THE MOLE. 57 



is very acute, as also that of the olfactory organs. The 

 number of teeth is said to be 44. Moles make long gal- 

 leries in the earth, through which they can run swiftly. 

 Their food is insects and earthworms. Only a single species 

 occurs in Britain. Woods are their favourite breeding- 

 places, and the large molehill they form at such times is 

 not quickly discovered in the briars or underwood. I have 

 found their nests with about five young moles, on the 

 highest part of the bank of a hedge-row, and in such a 

 situation as to be out of flood's way. When there is a nest 

 underneath, the molehill above is a large dome, several times 

 the ordinary size. There are many runs made, which 

 radiate from the nest in all directions, with many galleries 

 and passages. The nests are composed of dry leaves. I 

 have not found any of dried grass or moss. When about 

 half-grown the young moles appear to be almost naked, and 

 all body, and make no attempt to escape : very odd-looking 

 little animals, flesh-coloured cylinders you would incline to 

 call them. 



On reference to my Diary, I believe that December 20th, 

 1852, was the date when the churchwarden of the parish I 

 then lived in, brought forward for the last time, at a parish 

 meeting, his usual charge for paying the molecatcher. 

 Many of the ratepayers considered they had no benefit 

 from the arrangement, and so the charge was disallowed. 

 However, this old custom had some claim for itself, as you 

 will understand when I explain the injury caused by the 

 Moles. 



The river Wye bounded the parish on one side for a 

 considerable way, and owing to the frequent floods in 

 winter time, a high bank, or stank, as it was called (very 

 similar to the one which you know extends from Avon- 

 mouth to the New Passage), extended, as a protection. 



