166 NATURAL HISTORY. [CH. XI. 



strength and breadth. They are turned outwards, 

 like their namesake's, the mole, to whose habits 



they are very analogous, and enable the insects 

 when sought for to burrow with very great rapidity, 

 leaving a ridge in the surface as they work ; but 

 they do not form hillocks as the mole. These ani- 

 mals prefer for their haunts moist meadows, also 

 the sides of quiet and running water, and swampy 

 wet soil. 



Their habitations are surrounded with many 

 winding passages, which generally lead to a kind 



of chamber or nursery, marvellously formed by the 

 parent for the preservation of her offspring. This 



