MOLE. 75 



and placed near the nose, the mouth small, the teeth 

 strong, the lips thick and muscular : the neck is thick, the 

 legs short and stout, so loosely joined to the body, that 

 they can be brought upon a level with it and used as fins : 

 the toes are five in number, the webs strong and broad, 

 and the whole foot naked. The Otter shows great sagacity 

 in forming its habitation ; its entrance is always under 

 water, whence it burrows upwards, forming as it goes 

 different lodges, as resources in times of flood ; in the 

 uppermost, is a small opening for the admission of air ; it 

 is also observed, that the animal is so cautious as to 

 place even this little hole under some large bush. The 

 Otter is naturally a fierce animal, and will inflict severe 

 wounds on the dogs who hunt it. It will eat birds and 

 small quadrupeds, when fish is scarce. The Otter can 

 be tamed and used to catch fish ; these, in its natural state, 

 it drags out of the water and leaves, after devouring the 

 head and upper parts. It will sometimes devour vege- 

 tables, and gnaw the bark and twigs of young trees. 



THE MOLE. 



The form of the Common Mole is perfectly well adapted 

 to its peculiar habits. The body is thick and cylindrical 

 the snout very strong : there is no appearance of neck : 

 the legs are so short as scarcely to project from the body. 

 The fore feet are turned outwards, and furnished with very 

 strong claws, so as to give the animal the power of easily 

 working its way under ground. The hind feet are small 

 in proportion to the fore feet, and are adapted to throwing 

 back the mould which the animal loosens: the skin is 

 very tough, and the fur surpasses all other in fineness. 

 The eyes of the Mole are so very small, that they seem 

 intended rather to warn it of danger, by making it aware 

 of its approach to light, than to serve for sight, of which 

 it has no need, living always underground. The Mole is 

 nearly six inches long, and of great strength considering 

 its size. It is said to possess an exquisite sense of hearing, 

 and to be very easily conscious of danger. When first 

 taken, it utters a shrill cry, and attempts to defend itself. 

 The male and female Mole are said to bear to each other 

 so strong an attachment, as to forego all other society, 



