202 ANIMALS OF THE 



much greater art than the rest, and are usually 

 larger. The female, in order to form this retreat, 

 begins by erecting the earth into a tolerably spa- 

 cious apartment, which is supported within by 

 partitions, at proper distances, that prevent the 

 roof from falling. All round this she works, and 

 beats the earth very firm, so as to make it capa- 

 ble of keeping out the rain let it be never so vio- 

 lent. As the hillock in which this apartment is 

 thus formed, is raised above ground, the apart- 

 ment itself is consequently above the level of the 

 plain, and therefore less subject to accidental 

 slight inundations. The place being thus fitted, 

 she then procures grass and dry leaves, as a bed 

 for her young. There they lie secure from wet, 

 and she continues to make their retreat equally 

 so from danger; for all round this hill of her 

 own raising, are holes running into the earth, 

 that part from the middle apartment, like rays 

 from a centre, and extend about fifteen feet in 

 every direction: these resemble so many walks 

 or chases, into which the animal makes her sub- 

 terraneous excursions, and supplies her young 

 with such roots or insects as she can provide ; 

 but they contribute still more to the general safe- 

 ty ; for as the mole is very quick of hearing, the 

 instant she perceives her little habitation attack- 

 ed, she takes to her burrow, and unless the earth 

 be dug away by several men at once, she and her 

 young always make a good retreat. 



The mole is scarcely found except in cultivat- 

 ed countries: the varieties are but few. That 

 which is found in Virginia resembles the com- 



