14 ANIMALS OF NORTH AMERICA. 



The adaptation of the structure of animals to their modes of 

 life, is perhaps in no instance more apparent than in the orga- 

 nization of this creature. Its short and strong fore-limbs, 

 broad, firm feet, and powerful claws, pointed nose, of which 

 the extremity moves in all directions, the round form of its 

 body, and minute eyes, are all so befitting the place and 

 manner of its life, that without the combination of these parts, 

 it could never exist. Its eyes are adapted to the mere per- 

 ception of light, since distant vision would be useless to one 

 living entirely under ground, and being so densely covered 

 with a silky fur, are proof against the moist earth, through 

 which it travels. Its sense of hearing is very acute, diving 

 into the earth with a facility perfectly astonishing. 



In the construction of its dwelling it displays much taste 

 and judgment. This consists of a little hillock in some dry 

 place, from whicn paths run in all directions, each terminating 

 at the surface, where a small aperture is left. These paths, as 

 well as the ground about its headquarters, are made solid by 

 the continual passing of their inmates, so that they not only 

 may not admit water during rainy weather, but serve also as 

 a means by which they obtain their daily food, consisting of 

 worms and insects, which finding their way into them cannot 

 eecape, and thus fall an easy prey. 



All attempts at taming a mole have hitherto proved unsuc- 

 cessful; we, however, subjoin the following account of one 

 brought by some young people to the Rev. J. C. Wood, an 

 eminent naturalist. It ran about in a large box in which it 

 was secured, with great agility, thrusting its long and flexible 

 snout into every crevice. A little earth was placed in the 

 box, which it entered and re-entered, scattering it tolerably 

 evenly here and there, twitching every now and then, with a 

 quick convulsive shaking, the loose earth from its fur. It was 

 unremitting in its efforts to get through the box, but the wood 

 was too tough for it to make an impression ; and after satis- 

 fying itself that it could not get through a deal board, it took 



