THE MOLE. 



first to get into the lower gallery, to ascend thence to the upper 

 gallery, and so descend into the keep. 



There is, however, another entrance into the keep from below. 

 A passage dips downwards from the centre of the chamber, and 

 then, taking a curve upwards, opens into one of the larger 

 tunnels, or high roads, as they have been appropriately termed. 

 It is a noteworthy fact, that the high roads, of which there are 

 seven or eight, radiating in different directions, never open into 

 the gallery opposite one of the entrances into the upper gallery. 

 The Mole, therefore, is obliged to turn to the right or left as 

 soon as it enters the domicile, before it can find a passage to 

 the upper gallery. 



By continual pressure of the iMole's fur, the walls of the 

 passages and the roof of the central chamber become quite 

 smooth, hard, and polished, so that the earth will not fall in 

 even after the severest storm. 



Wonderful as is this subterranean habitation, it is not the 

 only one which is constructed by the animal. It may be well 

 adapted to a solitary individual, but it is not at all suited for a 

 family, for whom a more extended nursery must be provided. 

 The nursery is much simpler than the habitation, consisting 

 merely of a large chamber, in which is laid a considerable mass 

 of dried grass, the young blades of corn being sometimes em- 

 ployed for that purpose. The Mole chooses for this purpose 

 the spot where two or more passages intersect each other, so 

 that in case of alarm, the mother and young may escape in the 

 direction which seems farthest removed from danger. This 

 nursery is almost invariably placed at some distance from the 

 fortress. 



About the middle of June, or commencement of July, the 

 Moles begin to fall in love, and are as furious in their attach- 

 ments as in all other phases of their nature. At that time, two 

 male Moles cannot meet without a mortal jealousy, and they 

 straightway begin to fight, scratching, tearing, and biting with 

 such insane fury, that they seem to be unconscious of everything 

 but the heat of battle. Not content with fighting in their 

 burrows, they often emerge into the open air, and may then be 



