DESTEUCTIVE RAVAGES BY THE MOLE. 167 



Roberts, with specimens of wood treated by M. Courval for similar 



defects. 



Sect. IV. — Destructive Ravages occasioned hy the Mole. 



Another source of trouble in such plantations of the maritime pine 

 is the subterranean galleries created by the mole. In regard to this 

 M. Boitel writes : 



" The mole is to be found everywhere in sand or clay, in dry or 

 damp soil. Its operation seems to be measured by the opposition 

 which the ground makes to its efforts. In light sandy ground it 

 makes very long galleries ; it makes shorter ones where the clay is 

 tenacious. It does not, however, dislike the latter kind of ground ; 

 on the contrary, it prefers it, either on account of the solidity which 

 it confers on the galleries, or on account of the abundance of earth 

 worms in it. Although it can swim, and can easily protect its retreat 

 from water, it does not inhabit low wet places, unless it finds some 

 elevated spot in the midst of the surrounding moisture, such as the 

 edge of a dituh, where it can construct a healthy and convenient 

 nest. It delights in the soil of oases, sometimes found on the edge 

 of bogs, which abound in earth worms. In general it does not care 

 for bare exposed places; it prefers spots sheltered by walls, bushes, or 

 trees. It seems to know instinctively that it is safe whei-e its runs 

 are hidden by vegetation. Moles hidden in the banks of ditches are 

 hopeless to catch. It is easier to catch ten in a field than one under 

 a hedge, or on the wooded banks of a ditch. 



" The mole is remarkably watchful and active. Its hearing is 

 very acute, although its ears are hardly visible amidst its fur. It ig 

 frightened by the least noise. The mole-catcher, or the dog that 

 wishes to capture it, must walk very gently else it will instantly dis- 

 appear. It sees perfectly with eyes no larger than the head of a pin. 

 It does not fear water, and can swim in order to reach a desired 

 point. This explains how gardens surrounded with water are not 

 exempt from its ravages. It is a solitary animal when adult. It is 

 said that the female drives away the male from her nest. Moles 

 only pair at one season, when two may sometimes be caught in the 

 same trap. The female takes care of her brood for some time. 

 With these exceptions the mole is eminently solitary. I have tried 

 in vain to induce two moles of different sexes to li\e in a box filled 

 with earth. They fought continually, and there was no peace until 

 one was killed and partly eaten. The male wars against every in- 



