162 THE MOLE. 



depredations in our houses, our barns, and our granaries, induce 

 us to esteem them noxious and troublesome animals ; but are we 

 sure that they answer no beneficial purpose ? Are we certain 

 that they do not prevent the propagation of some other creature 

 more noxious than themselves ? This, although yet undiscovered, 

 is not impossible. Our shortsightedness does not permit us to 

 penetrate the all-wise designs of the Creator. On reviewing his 

 work, he " saw that it was good." (Gen. chap, i.) And, as he 

 created every species of animal life for some wise purpose, he 

 has with equal wisdom taken measures to prevent their extinction. 

 There are several varieties of the mouse, which for brevity's 

 sake we shall omit, and proceed to something more interesting. 

 They all have a pretty near resemblance : the principal differ- 

 ence is in the shrew-mouse, which, with a body of the same 

 shape and colour, and nearly of the same size, as that of the rest 

 of the kind, has the head and nose shaped like those of the 

 swine, and is in some places called the pig-mouse. 



THE MOLE 



Is an animal which merits, in no small degree, the attention of 

 the naturalist ; for being destined to a subterraneous life, its con- 

 formation is admirably adapted to its peculiar mode of providing 

 subsistence. It possesses, in an eminent degree, the senses of 

 hearing and smelling; of which the former gives it notice of the 

 approach of danger, and the latter enables it to find its prey in 

 the obscurity of its dwellings under the surface of the ground. 

 It is not destitute of sight, as has formerly been supposed : its 

 eyes indeed are extremely small; but it is more than probable, 

 that they are so formed, as to admit distinct images of the dimin- 

 utive objects of its pursuit. The wisdom of the Creator is evi- 

 dently and invariably displayed in the adaptation of each creature 

 to its particular mode of living, of which we have in this curious 

 little quadruped, a remarkable instance. While the mole enjoys 

 that perfection of hearing and smelling, so necessary to its pecu- 

 liar mode of living, its optics appear perfectly adapted to its con- 

 tracted sphere of vision. The piercing eye of the eagle, would, 

 to this animal, be not only useless, but manifestly inconvenient. 



The whole form of its body, but particularly the construction 

 of its fore-feet, are admirably adapted to the purpose of making 

 its way in the earth with facility. They are destitute of hair, and 

 have a broad palm, almost resembling a hand ; but they are fixed 

 so close to the body, that the animal can scarcely be said to have 

 any legs. It remains almost constantly under ground, and if it 

 happen to be surprised on the surface, it burrows in an instant. 



The skin of the mole is remarkable for its beauty, and if con- 

 verted to a proper use, would probably be not less estimable for 



