MOLES. 67 



gress ; while the absence of external ears, and the rudimentary 

 condition of the eyes, are likewise subservient to the same pur- 

 pose. Not less important is the vertical position of the hairs of 

 ;he fur, which admits of either backward or forward progress in 

 ;he tunnel with equal facility. Then, again, the broad, shovel- 

 ike fore-paws, armed with strong claws and turned outwards, 

 ire the very best instruments we could possibly conceive for 

 unnelling and shovelling backwards the earth; these being 

 vorked by muscles of immense power, attached to bones which, 

 )y their shortness and width, are calculated to afford the 

 naximum development of strength. Lastly, we must not omit 

 o mention the long, pointed, and mobile snout, furnished 

 fith an extra bone at its tip, and the large series of small but 

 harp teeth, which are equally well adapted for seizing and re- 

 aining the worms and grubs which form its food. 

 Regarding the general mode of life of the species, we may 

 uote from the summary given by Macgillivray in the original 

 dition of the " Naturalist's Library." He says that its food 

 onsists mainly of earth-worms, "in quest of which it burrows 

 s way in the soil, extending its subterranean excursions in 

 roportion as its prey diminishes in number ; but the excessive 

 nd unremitting labour required in this pursuit,' were it carried 

 n at random, is rendered unnecessary by an instinct which 

 Dmpels it to excavate a series of runs or galleries, along which 

 can walk without inconvenience, and from different points 

 " which it proceeds, forcing its way into the hitherto unper- 

 rated soil. In forming its subterranean paths, it works with 

 > fore-feet, which, as has been seen, are admirably adapted 

 r scraping away the earth and throwing it backwards, pro- 

 filing itself forward by its hind-feet, which are disposed in the 

 iual manner. When it has thus excavated an extended series 

 ' walks, it can run along them to any point without difficulty, 

 id finds security in them from the pursuit of many enemies, 



