84 BRITISH QUADRUPEDS. 



sound ; the proper organs are therefore specially pre- 

 pared for its guidance. The tympanum of the ear is 

 indeed remarkably large j but as the outer appendage 

 so desirable to animals living above ground is here 

 unnecessary, it is not present. As moreover, organs of 

 vision are little needed by a creature dwelling in dark- 

 ness, these appear in two little specks ; and so well are 

 they defended by the soft downy hair of the face, that 

 no particle of earth can enter them to occasion distress. 



The district to which a mole confines itself may be 

 termed its camp. Here, or hereabout, all its labours 

 are pursued. The camp consists of the habitation or 

 fortress, from which extends the high road by which 

 the animal reaches the opposite end of its district, and 

 of various galleries opening into the road, which it is 

 continually extending in search of food. 



The main dwelling is formed under a large hillock, 

 which is always raised in a safe and defended situation j 

 under a bank, at the root of a tree, against the founda- 

 tion of a wall, or in some similar place. The earth, 

 of which the dome covering this curious habitation is 

 composed, is made strong and solid, by being pressed 

 and beaten in its formation. It contains a circular 

 gallery within the base, which communicates with a 

 smaller one above by four passages nearly equally dis- 



