144 THE MOLE. 



to draw the body of a captured animal through his 

 traps, and the adjoining runs, and passages, to 

 remove all suspicious odours which might arise 

 from the touch of his fingers. Its feeling, too, 

 must be acute ; as, when casting up the earth, it 

 is sensible of the pressure of a very gentle foot ; 

 and, unless our approaches are conducted with 

 great caution^ it ceases from its operation, and 

 instantly retires. Should I be censured for need- 

 less prolixity in detailing these sensations of a com- 

 mon mole, and " telling of the mouldwarp and 

 the ant," I trust forgiveness may be granted me, 

 as endeavouring to remove all conceptions, should 

 they exist, that anything, t however vile and worth- 

 less it may seem to be, could be created with 

 powers or means inadequate to supply its wants. 

 Whoever will examine the structure of the body 

 of a mole will, perhaps, find no creature more 

 admirably adapted for all the purposes of its life. 

 The very fur on the skin of this animal manifests 

 what attention has been bestowed upon the crea- 

 ture, in providing for its necessities and comforts. 

 This is singularly, almost impalpably, fine, yield- 

 ing in every direction, and offering no resistance 

 to the touch. By this construction the mole is in 

 no degree impeded in its retreat from danger 

 while retiring backwards, as it always does upon 

 suspicion of peril, not turning round, which the 

 size of its run does not permit, but tail foremost, 

 until it arrives at some collateral gallery, when its 

 flight is head foremost, as with other creatures. 



