252 NATURAL HISTORY. 



THE WATER SHREW-MOUSE. 



THE Water Shrew-Mouse, though a native of these 

 regions, was unknown to any of our naturalists till M. 

 Daubenton first discovered it. With respect to the 

 water shrew-mouse it is taken at the sources of foun- 

 tains, in the morning and evening, as the sun rises and 

 sets. In the day-time it remains concealed in the clefts 

 of rocks, or in holes under ground, near the hedges of 

 rivulets. It brings forth in spring, and generally pro- 

 duces nine voung ones at a time. 



THE MOLE. 



THE mole, without being blind, has such small 

 eyes, and these so concealed, that they prove but of 

 little use to it. It enjoys however the senses of hear- 

 ing and feeling in an eminent degree. Its skin is soft 

 as silk ; and its little paws, which are furnished with 

 five claws, are very different from those of other ani- 

 mals, and almost like the hands of a human being 

 Proportioned to the size of its body, its strength is 

 great ; it possesses the mild habitudes of repose and 

 of solitude ; the art of securing itself, of forming, in- 



