Of natural history. 529p 



This account of the fociety and operations of beavers, 

 however marvellous it may appear, has been eftablifliecl and 

 confirmed byfo many credible eye-witnefles, that it is impof- 

 fible to doubt of its reality. 



The habitation where moles depofit their young merits a 

 particular defcription j becaufe it is confl:ru£led with pecu- 

 liar intelligence, and becaufe the mole is an animal with 

 which we are well acquainted. They begin by raiiing the 

 earth, and forming a pretty high arch. They leave parti- 

 tions, or a kind of pillars, at certain diftances, beat and prefs 

 the earth, interv/eave it with the roots of plants, and render it 

 fo hard and folid, that the water cannot penetrate the vault, 

 on account of its convexity and iirmnefs. They then elevate 

 a little hillock under the principal arch 5 upon the latter 

 they lay herbs and leaves for a bed to their young. In this 

 iituation they are above the level of the ground, and, of 

 courfe, beyond the reach of ordinary inundations. They 

 are, at the fame time, defended from the rains by the large 

 vault that covers the internal one, upon the convexity of 

 which laft they reft along with their young. This internal 

 hillock is pierced on all iides with floping holes, which de* 

 fcend ftill lower, and ferve as fubterraneous pafles for the 

 mother to go in queft of food for herfelf and her offspring* 

 Thefe by-paths are beaten and firm, extend about twelve or 

 fifteen paces, and iffue from the principal manfion like ray? 

 from a centre. Under the fuperior vault we likewife fmtf 

 remains of the roots of the meadow faffron, which feem to' 

 be the fir ft food given to the young. From this defcription 

 it appears, that the mole never comes abroad but at confider-- 

 able diftances from her habitation. Moles, like the beavers,^ 

 pair ; and fo lively and reciprocal an attachment fubfifts be- 

 tween them, that they feem to difrelifh all other fociety. In 

 their dark abodes they enjoy the placid habits of repofe and 

 of folitude, the art of fecuring themfelves from injury, of al-* 



