278 



Methods of taking moles. 



< The next important circumstance is, to dis- 

 cover which are the frequented streets, and 

 which the bye-roads ; for the purpose of setting 

 subterraneous traps. This is effected by making 

 a mark on every new mole-hill, by a light pres- 

 sure of the foot; and the next morning, observ- 

 ing whether a mole has again passed that way, 

 and obliterated the foot-mark. This is to be 

 done for two or three successive mornings. 

 These foot-marks should not be deeply impres- 

 sed ; lest the animal be alarmed on his return, 

 and thus induced to form a new branch of road 

 rather than open the obstructed one. 



tf The traps are then to be set in the fre- 

 quented streets, so as to fit nicely the divided 

 canal. They consist of a hollow semi-cylinder 

 of wood ; with grooved rings at each end, in 

 which are placed nooses of horsehair, fastened 

 loosely by a peg in the centre, and stretched 

 above ground by a bent stick. When the mole 

 has passed half way through one of the nooses, 

 and removes the central peg, in his progression, 

 the back stick rises by its elasticity, and 

 strangles him." 



Agricola informs us that he has seen the finest 

 and most beautiful hats made of the skins of 

 the mole; and Mr. Bewick states, in his enter- 

 taining History of Quadrupeds, that a " Mr. 

 Burn, hatter, of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, has re- 

 cently discovered a method whereby the exqui- 

 sitely fine fur of this hitherto despised animal is 



