130 TALPAD^. 



hunger alternates with the most profound repose, which 

 the animal enjoys either within its fortress, during the 

 season in which that domicile is occupied, or in a simple 

 mole-hill, devoted to this purpose, during the summer. 

 Its bed is formed of various vegetable matters, such as 

 grass, leaves, or similar soft substances. It sleeps for 

 about four or six hours at a time in warm weather, and 

 principally during the day ; its usual working time being 

 very early in the morning and at night. 



In the spring, the Mole leaves the fortress, and does 

 not return to this shelter until the autumn, when it does 

 not generally re-occupy the same edifice, but constructs 

 another ; leaving the old one to the occupation of the 

 Field Mouse, or other small animal of similar habits. 

 During the month of June, or longer, it is in the habit 

 of leaving its runs, and wandering during great part of 

 the night on the surface of the land, in search of its 

 food. Our late lamented friend Mr. Yarrell mentions 

 having now and then, when shooting, surprised a Mole 

 above ground, which his pointers have stood at as if it 

 were fair game. 



In addition to all the accomplishments and arts which 

 we have assigned to our Mole, it possesses that of being 

 an expert swimmer ; an action for which the structure 

 both of the hands and of the hinder feet are well 

 adapted. Surprised in its encampment by the floods of 

 autumn, it seeks its safety by this means ; and a person 

 residing at Waltham Abbey has assured us that he has seen 

 Moles swimming very featly when the marshes of that 

 neighbourhood have been inundated. But it is not only 

 when driven to it as a means of escape from danger that 

 it employs this mode of travelling : it will not hesitate 

 to cross a brook, or even a broad river, in order to change 

 its hunting-ground, or to emigrate from a district which 



