88 MOLE. 



ishing length of spring. When in motion, it carries its 

 tail at right angles with its body ; nor is the swiftest dog 

 able to arrest its flight. The flesh is wholesome and 

 palatable. Animals of this kind are now not uncommon in 

 exhibitions. 



THE MOLE. 



This solitary mischievous animal, which is disseminated 

 over the greatest part of Europe, and of which varieties 

 of species are found in America, Africa, and Asia, is 

 adapted to a life of darkness ; as if nature intended that 

 the earth should be tenanted both above and below. 

 Judging from our own sensations, we should be led to 

 conclude, that a quadruped, doomed to hunt for its prey 

 under ground, and usually denied the cheering light of 

 the sun, must be wretched to an extreme degree ; yet no 

 animal appears fatter, nor has a more sleek and glossy 

 skin. Indeed, so perfectly is it suited to its way of life, 

 that it probably enjoys no inconsiderable share of felicity, 

 and is exempt from many evils to which other creatures 

 are liable. 



The mole is in size between the mouse and the rat; but 

 resembles no other quadruped, and therefore forms a 

 genus by iteelf. It is covered with fine, short, glossy, 

 black hair ; and has a long pointed nose, and holes instead 

 of external ears. The neck is extremely short ; the body 

 is thick and round, terminating in a very short tail ; and 

 the legs are so short that the animal seems to rest on its 

 belly. 



It w r as formerly the common opinion that the mole is 

 wholly blind ; but, by the assistance of the microscope, 

 it has been found, that, though its eyes are small, and 

 almost concealed, they possess every part requisite for 

 distinct vision. 



The legs of this little animal, though very short, are 

 armed with five claws, which qualify it for digging and 

 entrenching itself; and so dexterous is it in burrowing, 

 that it generally eludes the grasp of its most vigilant 



