THE COMMON MOLfi. 303 



there is no appearance of a neck. Its general length 

 is between five and six inches. 



The eyes of the Mole are exceedingly small ; so 

 much so, that many have doubted whether they 

 were intended for distinct vision, or only to aftbrd 

 the animal so much sensibility of the approach of 

 light as sufficiently to warn it of the danger of ex- 

 posure. They have, however, been proved to con- 

 tain every property necessary to distinct sight. The 

 faculty of hearing is said to be possessed by the 

 Mole in a very eminent degree ; and if at any 

 time it emerges from its retreat, it is by this means 

 enabled instantly to disappear on the approach of 

 danger. 



The females bring forth, about the month oi 

 April, four or five young ; and the habitations in 

 which these are deposited are constructed with pe- 

 culiar care and intelligence. The parent animals 

 begin their operations by raising the earth and form- 

 ing a pretty high arch. They leave partitions, or 

 a kind of pillars, at certain distances ; beat and press 

 the earth; interweave it with the roots of plants ; 

 and render it so hard and sohd, that the water can- 

 not penetrate the vault, on account of its convexity 

 and firmness. They then elevate a little hillock 

 under the principal arch; upon which they lay herbs 

 and leaves as a bed for their young. In this situa- 

 tion they are above the level of ground, and con- 

 sequently beyond the reach of ordinary inundations. 

 They are at the same time defended from the rains 

 by the large vault that covers the internal one, upon 

 the summit of which last they rest along with their 



