HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 431 



The form of this creature's body, and particularly 

 the construction of its fore feet, are admirably 

 adapted to the purpose of making its way in the 

 earth, which it does with wonderful facility: these 

 are quite naked, very broad, with large palms, 

 almost like a hand: there are five toes on each, 

 terminated with strong nails, very concave on the 

 under side; and in place of a thumb, a strong bone 

 under the skin. The hind feet are very small, with 

 five slender toes, and a small thumb on the inside. 

 Whenever it happens to be surprised on the surface 

 of the ground, it disappears in an instant; and 

 every attempt to prevent its subterraneous retreat 

 would be vain. 



The Mole is mostly found in grounds where the 

 soil is loose and soft, and affords the greatest quan- 

 tity of worms and insects, on which it feeds. 



The female brings forth in the spring, and gener- 

 ally produces four or five at a time. The young 

 are quite naked, and continue so till they are grown 

 to a considerable size. It makes its nest a little 

 below the surface of the ground, forming a commo- 

 dious apartment, where it prepares a warm bed of 

 moss and herbage: from this there are several pas 

 sages in different directions, to which it can retreat 

 with its young ones in case of danger; into these 

 likewise it makes excursions in quest of food. In 

 the act of forming its tracks or runs, it throws up 

 large heaps of mould, which are extremely injurious 

 in meadows, grass lands, and cultivated grounds. 

 Its destruction is consequently an object of import- 

 ance to farmers, gardeners, &c. 



The skin of the Mole is extremely tough ; its fur 

 short, *cldse set, and softer than the finest velvet, or 

 perhaps the fur of any other animal. 



