STRANGE DWELLINGS. 



to pass unsoiled through earth of all textures is a really remark- 

 able phenomenon, which is partly to be explained by the 

 character of the hair, and partly by that of the skin. 



The hair of the Mole is notable for its velvety aspect, and its 

 want of ' set.' The tips of the hairs do not point in any par- 

 ticular direction, but may be pressed equally forwards or back- 

 wards or to either side. The microscope reveals the cause of 

 this peculiarity. The hair is extremely fine at its exit from the 

 skin, and gradually increases in thickness. When it has reached 

 its full width, it again diminishes. This alternation of tenuity 

 and thickness occurs several times in each hair, and gives the 

 peculiar velvet-like texture with which we are all so familiar. 

 There is scarcely any colouring matter in the slender portions 

 of the hair, and the characteristic changeability of the blackish- 

 brown hues is owing to this structure. 



Perhaps the reader may not have noticed that when the fur 

 of the Mole has been thoroughly cleansed, it has a strong irides 

 cence in certain lights, assuming various beautiful tints, among 

 which a ruddy copper is the most prevalent. 



Another reason for the cleanliness of the fur is the strong, 

 though membranous muscle beneath the skin. While the Mole 

 is engaged in tunnelling, particularly in loose earth, the soil falls 

 upon the fur, and for a time clings to it. But, at tolerably 

 regular intervals, tlie creature gives the skin a sharp and power- 

 ful shake, which throws off at once the whole of the mould that 

 has collected upon the fur. Some amount of dust still retains 

 its hold, for, however clean the fur of a Mole may seem to be, 

 if the creature be placed for an hour in water, a considerable 

 quantity of earth will be dissolved away, and fall to the bottom 

 of the vessel. The improvement in the fur after bemg well 

 washed with soft tepid water and soap, is almost incredible 



I have given much space to the Mole on account of its many 

 claims to our notice. Had the creature been a rare and costly 

 inhabitant of the tropics, how deep would have been the interest 

 which it excited. How the scientific world would have crowded 

 to see the marvellous structure of a skeleton wherein are several 

 accessory bones, and which exhibits peculiarities hitherto found 



