MOLE or SHREW 

 Scalops aquaticus. 



Although the common mole exists only in the eastern part of 

 our country from southern Canada to Florida, yet allied species 

 of such close resemblance are found further north and west that 

 his habits should be well known everywhere. Few creatures, in- 

 deed, are more interesting and few are also more misunderstood 

 or less rewarded than is the steady little worker underground. Na- 

 ture has shown a proper economy in withholding from him an ex- 

 ternal ear, which would prove but a hindrance to his progress, while 

 his eyesight is so deficient as to require no more light than the dim- 

 ness of his dark recesses. All his ambitions and powers are directed 

 toward one single and most important end ; namely, ridding the top 

 soil of the innumerable pests, worms, insects and their larvae that do 



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