CAPTURE OF ANIMALS. 



73 



are large pouches, in which to carry earth, food, &c. The 

 Go])]ier digs paths or galleries of an oval form, several inches 

 in diameter, a short distance below the surface, coming to the 

 surface once in about a rod, where the excavated earth is de- 

 posited in little hillocks. These galleries ramify in all direc- 

 tions. When the animal has brought to the surface in one 

 place as much earth as its sense of econoni}- dictates, it closes 

 up the hole, and begins a new deposit further on, so that notli- 



Tlie Goph-er and its Burrow. 



ing remains but a neat little mound of earth, laro;e enonsh to 

 fill a half bushel, more or less. Gophers are great pests to 

 the western firmers, injuring and destroying the roots of their 

 crops, and infesting tlieir fields and gardens. The}^ may be 

 trapped in the following manner : Carefully cut away a 

 square section of sod on a line between the two most recent 

 deposits. On finding the gallery, excavate down till a trap 

 will set on a level with the bottom of the passage. Place the 

 trap there ; then lay a piece of board or shingle across the ex- 



