444 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



and was rather surprised to remark the rapid progress which 

 it was able to make by means of its hind feet. I should have 

 liked to observe it longer, but our setters were " standing " a 

 little way on in the roots, and my observations were cut short by 

 having to walk up to the " point." So the Mole was hastily 

 transferred to my pocket, and was subsequently skinned and pre- 

 served for the sake of the northern locality in which it was 

 found. It is now in the Natural History Museum, South 

 Kensington. 



In Lanarkshire, in 1867, the Mole was reported to be 

 common in spite of constant persecution (Alston, Zool. 1867, 

 p. 608). Thirty-six years ago it was said to be spreading 

 rapidly in West Argyllshire (New Stat. Ace. Argyll, pp. 380, 439); 

 and in Mull it is reported to have been accidentally introduced 

 in a boat-load of earth from Morven, early in the last century ; 

 but it appears to be unknown in the rest of the Scottish islands. 



With regard to the distribution of the Mole in Wales I 

 have little or no information. I have noted its occurrence in 

 Monmouthshire, and Carnarvonshire ; and Thompson, comment- 

 ing upon its absence from Ireland, has noticed its existence in 

 Anglesea. He saj'^s : — 



" It is singular, when entering Scotland and Wales at the 

 nearest ports to Ireland, to see Mole-hills in both those countries 

 almost as soon as we land. They are very numerous along the 

 coast of Ayrshire, just opposite Antrim; and I have remarked 

 them close to the roadside in Anglesea, near to Holyhead, which 

 I mention on account of the western position." 



As a rule, perhaps, it may be asserted that the Mole is partial 

 to light soils, which are easily worked, such as old pasture, park 

 lands, warrens, and downs. Mr. Roberts, of Lofthouse, Wake- 

 field, has remarked (Zool. 1872, p. 3183), " they are generally 

 most numerous in light soils which have been manured, but I 

 have seen them in barren lands, on clay soils, and on hills." 



Whether the Mole is injurious or not, from an agriculturist's 

 point of view, is a question upon which, probably, there will 

 always be a difference of opinion. Many farmers will tell you 

 that Mole-hills are not only very unsightly, but that they prevent 

 the mowing grass from being properly cut. They apparently 



Nat. Hist. Ireland, vol. iv. p. 4. 



