MOLES. 35 



had undermined the banks of a canal, and that unless 

 means were taken to prevent the catastrophe, these 

 banks would give way, and inundation would ensue. 

 By his ingenious contrivances and accurate knowledge 

 of their habits, he contrived to extirpate them before 

 the occurrence of further mischief. Moles, however, 

 are said to be excellent drainers of land ; and Mr. 

 Hogg, the Ettrick Shepherd, used to declare that if 

 a hundred men and horses were employed to dress a 

 pasture farm of 1500 or 2000 acres, they would not 

 do it as effectually as moles would do, if left to them- 

 selves. 



The late Earl of Derby possessed a small deserted 

 island in the Loch of Clunie, 180 yards from the main- 

 land ; and as proof that moles swim well, a number of 

 them crossed the water, and took possession of this 

 place. They are said to be dragged as beavers are 

 by their companions, who lay hold of their tails and 

 pall them along while they lie on their backs, em- 

 bracing a quantity of soil dug out in forming their 

 runs. The fur of the mole is very short, fine, and 

 close, and is as smooth and soft as Genoa velvet. 



Moles display a high degree of instinct in the skilful 

 construction of their subterranean fortresses. Their site 

 is not indicated by those little mounds of loose earth 

 which we see raised up at night, and which mark their 

 hunting excursions, but under a hillock reared by them- 

 selves, and protected by a wall, bank, or roots of a tree. 

 The earth is well worked, so as to make it compact 

 and hard, and galleries are formed, which communicate 

 with each other. A circular gallery is placed at the 

 upper part of the mound, and five descending passages 

 lead from this to a gallery below, which is of larger 



