THE MOLE* 271 



Description. 



THE MOLE. 



THE external appearance and singular habits 

 of the mole are alone sufficient to distinguish it 

 from all other animals; and its conformation is 

 admirably adapted by the all-wise Creator to its 

 peculiar mode of living. The body, which is ge- 

 nerally between five and six inches in length, is 

 thick and round, terminated by a very small and 

 short tail. The snout is long and pointed, like 

 that of a hog ; the neck is so short, that the head 

 seems stuck upon the shoulders; and the less are 

 so short, that the animal appears to lie flat upon 

 its belly. The fore feet are quite naked, formed 

 with large palms, almost like hands, and furnished 

 with five toes each, terminated with strong nails : 

 the hind feet are much smaller. The skin is co- 

 vered with fine short hair, and is peculiarly sleek 

 and glossy. The colour is generally black, but 

 some have been found spotted with white, and 

 instances have occurred, though very rarely, of 

 their being seen altogether white. 



The eyes of this animal are so minute, that 

 many have doubted whether they were intended 

 for distinct vision, or only to afford the animal 

 so much sensibility of the approach of light as 

 sufficiently to warn it of the danger of exposure. 

 Dr. Derham, however, by the assistance of a mi- 

 croscope plainly discovered all the parts of the 

 eye known in other animals. It has, also been 



