150 The Mole. [Sess. 
their estates, and giving orders that they are to be protected. 
Among these I may mention the Earl of Rosebery, and an ex- — 
ceedingly interesting paper on “ A Badger Colony in Dalmeny ~ 
Park” was read to this Society in March 1897 by Mr Charles — 
Campbell. I cannot do better than solicit you all to peruse it — 
again in our ‘ Transactions.’ In conclusion, I may say that I ~ 
believe the day is yet far distant when the extinction of the — 
badger will have to be deplored. 
IlL.—THE MOLE (TALPA EUROPAtA). 
By Mr ALLAN A. PINKERTON. 
(Read Dec. 26, 1900.) 
I WELL recall my first introduction to a mole-catcher. Sitting — 
by the roadside one lovely summer day, some few years ago, — 
examining a butterfly, I was accosted by the remark that it 
was a warm day. On looking up, I saw a tall man with 
shoulders like Hercules and a need about two feet long. His 
skin was as brown asa berry. Dressed in a grey suit, witli boots 
one could see were specially made for tramping, he had on his ~ 
left arm several traps, and in his right hand as a staff he was © 
carrying a spade with a slender shaft and a blade about 3 to 4 
inches square. Having replied to the salutation, which is a 
pleasant feature of country folks, I was cogitating on the use — 
of the traps, and allowed him to reach a distance before I _ 
assured myself that if I never asked I would never know. — 
The same day saw my first introduction to the practical studyg q 
of the mole. 
The mole in appearance is rather a handsome creature. Its 
fur, smooth as velvet, is generally black, with a slight brown 
colour in adults on the breast and the belly. In size it is” 
about 54 inches, but as a rule larger in mossy land. The 
male also is considerably larger than the female. It is 
adapted for its calling; and as it passes its existence in the 
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