443 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



the present day is still obviously characteristic, and indicative of 

 the creature's mode of life. Indeed, we have only to examine a 

 Mole attentively to see how admirably its structure is adapted to 

 its habits. 



Spending most of its time underground as it does, in tunnels 

 of its own construction, we note first that the cylindrical form of 

 its body must facilitate progress in its burrows ; secondly, that 

 the ears having no external conch, are not liable to be filled with 

 the crumbling soil which is displaced as it works its way under- 

 ground ; thirdlj^ that the fur, being inserted perpendicularly to 

 the surface of the skin, will lie in any direction, and does not pre- 

 vent a retrograde movement in the tunnel, should a retreat in 

 that direction become necessary ; fourthly, that the forelimbs, 

 short, broad, and spade-shaped, are admirably suited for dig- 

 ging ; and fifthly, that the prehensile snout and long jaws, set 

 with sharp teeth, are adapted for seizing, holding, and mastica- 

 ting the earthworms and insect larvae upon which it chiefly 

 prej's. 



Keenness of sight not being required in the darkness of its 

 undergound chambers, that sense is reduced to a minimum of 

 development ; but contrary to popular belief the animal is not 

 blind, although the eyes are very minute, and completely buried 

 in the fur which surrounds them. The sense of smell, on the 

 other hand, is believed to be well developed, to enable the detec- 

 tion of its food, its enemies, and its own kind. The sense of 

 hearing, too, is very keen ; it takes alarm at the slightest sound, 

 and will not come forth until all is still again. The Mole is not 

 mute as many people imagine, but, especially when alarmed, can 

 utter a loud and shrill squeak.* 



Ever3'^one knows, generally, that the Mole spends most of its 

 time underground ; that it forms " runs " or " galleries " on 

 a more or less definite plan ; with a chamber or cavity to live in, 

 and another for the reception of its young. 



These facts which have been described in detail by the 

 French naturalists, Le Court and Geoffroy St. Hilaire, will be 

 familiar to readers of Bell's ' British Quadrupeds,' in which work 

 will be found (p. 123, 2nd ed.) a plan of the Mole's encampment. 



It is not my intention to go over the same ground again in 



- Zool. 1865, p. 9708, and ' The Field,' 6th May, 1876. 



