86 BRITISH QUADRUPEDS. 



frequent pressure of the animal's sides against them, un- 

 til they become very smooth and compact. In fact, this 

 road is chiefly formed by compressing the earth which 

 surrounds it, rather than actual excavation. In some 

 cases the same mole forms a second and even a third 

 road ; but this is generally done to extend its operations 

 to a new and more productive district. 



That the mole swiftly traverses its domain by means 

 of this principal road, was satisfactorily proved by M. 

 Le Court. Having found out the exact direction of 

 the road, and that the animal was seeking its food on 

 the ground at the furthest extremity from the fortress, 

 he placed along its course at certain distances several 

 pieces of straw, one end of which penetrated within the 

 passage, while to the other was fixed a little flag of 

 paper. He also introduced into the passage near the 

 end, a horn, with the mouth-piece standing out of the 

 ground. Then waiting till he was sure of the mole's 

 presence at that part of the road, he blew into the horn ; 

 when, in a moment, the little flags were successively 

 thrown off, as the mole, in its rapid course towards its 

 fortress, came in contact with the inner ends of the 

 straws : and the spectators affirm, that the speed of the 

 frightened mole was equal to that of a horse at full 

 trot. 



