72 LLOYDS NATURAL HISTORY. 



are partially disabled by a bite from the teeth of their cnptor. 

 More information is, however, required as to these stores of 

 worms, and when they are consumed. In regard to the latter 

 point, Mr. Harting observes that it seems doubtful whether 

 the worms could live long in such a state of confinement, for 

 if unable to make their escape they themselves would die for 

 lack of nourishment. There is, moreover, another circumstance 

 connected with the winter-life of a Mole. Thus, if it be true 

 that during a frost the animal descends lower down in the soil 

 until it comes to the level where worms are to be found, we 

 should like to know how it disposes of the soil dug out in 

 making its tunnels, as it would be clearly impossible to 

 throw up the ordinary mole-hills through the frozen earth 

 above. 



Concerning these worm-basins, Mr. Trevor-Battye writes to 

 me : — '* I strongly doubt this statement. I think it has arisen 

 from the fact that during the winter the Mole does drive down 

 tunnels almost, and sometimes quite, perpendicularly. These 

 are frequently found to end (sometimes at depths of four feet) 

 in a circular expansion, of which the inside is certainly smooth. 

 I have always supposed that Moles lay up for the winter in 

 these ; but the whole question of their hiberna'Jon wants making 

 clear. As you dig down to these chambers with a spade, you 

 will notice that all the earth is not removed from the shaft, nor 

 is this necessary. A Mole can work backwards and forwa-ds 

 underground quite easily, without removing earth in the form 

 of a mole-hill. There are numerous questions regarding the 

 history of the Mole still to be settled. Why, for instance, 

 should this species and a Badger die from a slight tap on the 

 nose? " 



Some difference of opinion has long obtained as to whether 

 the Mole is injurious or beneficial to the agriculturist, al- 

 though it is pretty generally admitted that to the gardener it is 



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