Sere 
The Mole Carnivorous. 171 
and shrubs, seeds of weeds, and berries of different kinds. But 
those which feed on worms and insects,—such as martins, king-birds, 
robins, blackbirds and many others, instinctively migrate to more 
southern latitudes, not being able to find their proper food here dur- 
ing the season of winter. 
Another class of animals, natives and permanently resident in our 
latitude, have neither the power of emigration nor the means of ob- 
taining food during our winters. These by a most wise and wonder- 
ful provision in nature, are so formed and organized, that they may 
retire to their winter lodgings, and remain in a torpid state, without 
inconvenience to themselves, during the frosts of winter, however 
long they may continue. But to what class belongs the mole? 
There are certain peculiar properties belonging to this singular 
animal relative to its structure and adaptation to the condition in 
which nature has placed it, which deserve the notice of the natt 
ist. Of these, however, by reason of my limited knowledge of anat- 
omy, I can give a very imperfect description. 
The snout or proboscis which projects three fourths of an inch be- 
yond the extreme point of the upper jaw, and consisting of a sub- 
stance similar to that of the upper edge ofa pigs snout, flexible and 
elastic, yet cartilaginous and sufficiently rigid to pierce the ground, 
Serves as a pioneer to prepare and direct the way for the body. Next 
the fore feet or rather paws. These are very large, broad, and strong, 
furnished each with five long and powerful nails or talons. These 
feet are so organized that the back sides of them are easily brought 
into contact with the sides of the head and neck, to thrust aside the 
earth laterally. The shoulder blades lie longitudinally with the line 
of the body, nearly in contact with each other, forming a sort of shield 
for the shoulders, and are covered with a thick, muscular integument 
Strengthened by tendons connected with the muscles of the fore legs, 
so that when the paws are moved in pressing aside the earth, a sim- 
ultaneous motion, upwards, is given to the blades to resist the pressure 
of the superincumbent earth and faciliate the progress of the body. 
The chest is broader and deeper than any other part of the body. 
I send you herewith, the skin of the animal which was the subject 
of my experiment, stuffed with tobacco, the snout with the jaws, 
eyes, feet and tail entire. The examination of them, together with 
the imperfect description I have given may enable you, if you think 
them deserving your attention, to give a more correct, scientific and 
technical description of this humble animal, its habits and structure. 
Windsor, Conn. Nov. 20th, 1834. 
