The Mole. 45 



Cylindrical in form, its pointed snout and powerful 

 digging-claws enable it to burrow through the soil 

 with wonderful rapidity, while every sense is modified 

 to suit the circumstances of its existence. 



Like those of all the rest of the Insect ivora, or 

 insect-devouring animals, to which group it belongs, 

 the teeth of the mole are formed for biting and 

 seizing prey alone, and not for masticating the food, 

 a few sharp pecking bites being the only preparation 

 for swallowing it. It is by this structure of the teeth, 

 also, that these animals are enabled to grasp and 

 retain the struggling prey. 



In order to fit the mole for its burrowing life, the 

 strength of the fore-parts is developed to a wonderful 

 degree. 



The bones of the fore-limbs are stout, ridged, and 

 considerably bowed, always a sign of great strength. 

 The shoulder-blade, in particular, is of extraordinary 

 length, in comparison with those of other animals, 

 even that of the tiger or lion, either of which creatures 

 can strike an ox to the ground with a single blow of 

 its paw, fading into comparative insignificance beside 

 it. In fact, if the mole were enlarged to the size 

 of the tiger, it would be quite as active, by far the 

 stronger and more terrible animal of the two. 



This extra length of shoulder-blade is necessary 

 for the attachment of the large and powerful muscles 

 which work the fore-limbs, and which, when the skin 

 is stripped off, can be seen lying in thick masses, 

 almost as hard and strong as so much steel wire. 



With this wonderful development of muscular 

 power, it is no wonder that the burrowing powers 

 ot the mole should be so great, seeing, besides, what 

 efficient digging instruments it possesses in its fore- 

 paws. These are set obliquely with the body, in 

 order to secure a larger scope for their movements. 



