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OF MOLES IN GENERAL. 



THE Moles are easily distinguishable from all other 

 quadrupeds, by their peculiar shape, and their singu- 

 lar habits of life. Their body is thick and muscular. 

 Their head is likewise thick, and has a somewhat 

 lengthened snout, the upper jaw being considerably 

 longer than the lower. These animals have no ex- 

 ternal ears ; and their eyes are so small as generally 

 to be concealed by the fur. All the legs are short, 

 but particularly the fore ones, which, externally, 

 are scarcely visible : they are, however, furnished 

 with feet unusually large and powerful. The fore- 

 feet are admirably adapted to the wants of the ani- 

 mals, which, as they live almost wholly beneath the 

 surface of the ground, sometimes have to dig sub- 

 terranean passages, or galleries, of many fathoms 

 in length. 



Connected with these galleries, the Moles form 

 hollow and spacious nests, in which the females 

 produce their offspring; and in which the families 

 reside, during those months of the year when the 

 cold weather forbids their going abroad, or con- 

 tinuing their accustomed labours. 



Seven species of Moles have been discovered in 

 different parts of the world. Of these, five are 

 found, exclusively, in North America; one at the 



Cape 



