MAMMALIA. 439 



found in any part of Ireland. It lias no external ears, and 

 the eyes are so extremely minute that in popular language it 

 is always spoken of as " blind."* The broad forefeet with 

 the palms turned outwards, and so admirably adapted for 

 digging, are the most striking characteristic. The food consists 

 of insects and worms, though vegetable matters are occasionally 

 found in the stomach, because that Moles gnaw the roots of 

 plants for the purpose of extracting larva} and worms. They 

 do not become dormant during the winter, so that the necessity 

 of exertion to obtain the needful supply of food is continual. 



Fig. 333. MOLE 



To the superficial observer, the Mole " blind, awkward, 

 and shapeless," condemned to a life of toil in subterranean 

 darkness is an object of pity. To the naturalist it affords 

 another proof " of the wisdom and beneficence of the Creator, 

 which can render a life so apparently incompatible with 

 comfort, in reality one of almost incessant enjoyment." 



" Its feeding and its habitation, its wanderings and its 

 repose, its winter retreat, and the nest in which its young are 

 brought forth and nourished, are all so many calls for the 

 most laborious and enduring toil; but on the other hand, that 

 toil is so amply provided for in the whole structure of the 

 animal, so exactly balanced by the strength and conformation 

 of its limbs, that it cannot be considered as exceeding the health- 

 ful, and even pleasurable exercise of its natural powers." 



The words we have just quoted are those of Professor Bell; 

 we use them because we would wish to introduce to the reader, 

 the complete and interesting exposition of the habits and 

 economy of the Mole, given by that eminent zoologist, in his 

 History of British Quadrupeds; from that work, by the 

 kind permission of its author, our representation of the animal 

 has been copied. 



* There is another species, T. caca, in which the eyelids are closed ; both 

 are inhabitants of Europe. 



