THE MOLE. 446 



overlook the fact, that if the hillocks were knocked about in the 

 spring, and the fine soil of which they are composed were spread 

 over the surface, they would have an excellent and inexpensive 

 top-dressing for their fields. Another recommendation lies in 

 the system of sui-face drainage, which is effected by the Mole's 

 '* runs ;" while a third, and perhaps the most important con- 

 sideration, is the fact that the Mole preys not only upon earth- 

 worms, but also upon the larvae of many coleopterous and dip- 

 terous insects, which are very destructive to the roots of grasses 

 and other field crops. On this account, if on no other, it surely 

 deserves protection. The late Mr. Henry Reeks, of Thruxton, 

 near Andover, who was a practical farmer as well as a good 

 naturalist, was strongly in favour of sparing the Moles upon 

 agricultural land.* 



In connection with this part of the subject, it may be of 

 interest to mention here the earliest notice of the Mole which I 

 remember to have met with. It is to be found in the Roll 

 of John Kelyng, Clerk of the works to Dudley, Bishop of Auck- 

 land (a.d. 1476 — 83), wherein the following entry occurs : — 

 " 1480—1. — Paid to Henry Newton for spreading Molehills, 8d.' 

 So it would seem that the practice is of some antiquity. The 

 fact of its prejung on worms, too, has long been known. 

 Sylvester, in his translation of Du Bartas, ' Divine Weekes and 

 Workes,' printed in 1605, makes the following allusion to it : — 



" Even as the soft blind mine-inventing Moule 

 In velvet robes under the earth doth roule, 

 Refusing light and little ayre receives, 

 And hunting wormes her moving hillock heaves." 



The quantity of worms which a Mole will consume in a day 

 must be very considerable. Under date December 12th, 

 W. Thompson writes : " I examined the stomach of a Mole, and 

 found it entirely filled with earthworms. One or two, which were 

 quite perfect, were of the short, thick species, with the yellow 

 band round the body.f These must have been swallowed whole, 

 as an Italian would eat maccaroni. 



The late Edward Alston, who kept a ]\Iole for some time 

 in confinement, was quite surprised at its voracity. " The 



' Zoologist,' 1872, pp. 3181—2. f Nat. Hist. Ireland, vol. iv. p. 4. 



