0- 



Adams, On the Mole {Talpa curopcea). 



that a remnant (as in the days of Noah) were saved, since 

 my friend the gardener (Alexander Duff) finds a difficulty 

 in getting them extirpated. It is, I think, by no means 

 improbable, that these curious animals carry on a sort of 

 clandestine intercourse betwixt the mainland and the 

 island. These few particulars, stated and authenticated 

 as abo\e, may serve to corroborate and illustrate some of 

 your remarks on the history and habits of the Talpa 

 europcea, which I should like very much to peruse. I 

 mentioned the above circumstances many years ago to 

 my worthy deceased friend, Mr. Arthur Bruce, who was 

 some time ago secretary to the Natural History Society 

 of ?2dinburgh, whether he published them or no, I have 

 not learned. In the meantime, if you find them of any 

 service to you, liis utere vieuin, and believe me to be, with 

 cordial wishes for your success in every laudable investi- 

 gation, 



" Dear sir, 



" Yours sincerely, 



"W. Macritchie." 



Mr. Trevor-Battye says in a footnote to p. 68 of 

 Mr. Lydekker's "British Mammals "' : — "With regard to the 

 question of vision, I can state that a mole which I kept 

 for some time in captivity would take worms from my 

 fingers. When I swung a worm about in front of his 

 face he would — nose in air — follow it backward and 

 forward with his head. Whether he saw it or only smelt 

 it (in which case his quickness of scent was simply 

 marvellous), I am unable to say." 



I am inclined to think that the mole is practically 

 blind. A mole which I once placed in an empty packing 

 case ran its nose against the side frequently, and took no 

 notice of obstacles placed in its way. When the daylight 

 had nearly gone I held a lighted taper close in front of its 



