100 CARNIVORA. 



We come now to notice the MOLE (Ta/pa) Family, Tatyida. 

 This animal is five or six inches in length and formed for an un- 

 derground life. Its body is thick and cylindrical ; the he id is pro- 

 longed, especially the muzzle, which projects far beyond the 

 jaws, and is very flexibile and strong, serving to convey the food 

 to the mouth ; it has no external ears, but the auricular appara- 

 tus is highly developed, and the sense is very acute ; its ey$s 

 are very small and concealed by its fur, so that it is a vulgar 

 opinion that it is deficient in these important organs. The head 

 is not distinguished from the body by any appearance of neck ; 

 the legs do nor project perceptibly from the body. 



The mole is accustomed to burrow for its food, forming its 

 abode or "encampment" under ground, and raising a larger hil- 

 lock than the rest for the reception of its young. Its subterra- 

 nean excavations are most distinctly and determinately made, 

 having passages or " high roads " from one part of its domain to 

 another. Into these roads open the excavations in which it daily 

 searches for food. In this home, which is separated from that in 

 which its nest is formed, it dwells from autumn to spring. The 

 mole is essentially an accomplished miner, and unlike most of 

 the mammalia, finds his happiness and his home in the subterra- 

 nean (underground) galleries which he excavates with admirable 

 skill and industry. Its fore feet, which are broad and muscular, 

 are constructed like hands and form complete paddles for throw- 

 ing the soil behind the animal. (See Plate VI, fig. 4 of Mole's 

 foot.) 



It has been mentioned that there is no external conch to 

 the ears, as the auditory opening concealed by the fur is 

 small. "A valve, capable of being raised or lowered like an 

 eye-Hd, the mechanism of which is visible if the fur be shaved 

 away, closes this aperture at the will of the animal, so as to ex- 

 clude any particle of earth or sand." The eyes, too, which are 

 exceedingly small and buried in the fur for protection, may be 

 uncovered at pleasure, when it emerges to the light. The Crea- 

 tor has given it the power of vision, but in a very limited degree ; 

 in fact it is in the very lowest stage of development, but it has 

 all in this respect that is needed. Its keen sense of smell is its 

 chief guide in searching for food, and dwelling as it does, in 

 darkness, this sense is remarkably perfect. 



The structure of the mole is such as to concentrate the whole 

 force and energy of the animal in the anterior portion, and thus 

 is adapted to its habits and mode of life ; the hands are large, 

 bread, and thick ; the bones knit firmly and solidly together; the 

 claws are enormous these are the organs by which it throws 



