THE MOLE. 87 



The alleys or galleries are opened from the sides of 

 the road, and generally incline a little downwards. 

 These are formed, as has been stated, by throwing out 

 the earth, while the high road is chiefly formed by its 

 pressure. When one is opened, if a plentiful supply 

 of food be found, the mole proceeds to form various 

 ramifications from its extremity, throwing up fresh mole- 

 hills as it advances in the pursuit of its prey ; but if 

 there be little, another is made at a different part of 

 the road. 



In lands newly sown, the surface of which is light 

 and yielding after moderate rain, which has brought the 

 earth-worms to the surface, the mole follows them, and 

 pursues its chase along the outer layer of the soil, 

 digging a shallow trench, and advancing in its work 

 with great rapidity. 



Prior to the setting in of winter, the mole is said to 

 form a basin in a bed of clay, which will hold about a 

 quart. Here, a great many worms are placed, and to 

 prevent their escape, they are mutilated in part, but not 

 killed. The worms are provision for the winter months. 

 In some years there are much fewer of these basins than 

 in others ; and from this, some who know the fact con- 

 clude, as they do when hedge-fruit, such as hips and haws, 

 are comparatively scanty, that the winter will be mild. 



