400 THE COMMON MOLE. 



is easily caught. When seen at work here, it Is only 

 necessary to tread behind the animal with the foot, 

 on the passage, to prevent its retreat, and then turn 

 it up with a spade. 



" The Mole (continues Dr. Darwin, whose ac- 

 count I resume) suckles four or five, and sometimes 

 six young ones ; which are placed considerably 

 deeper in the ground than the common runs ; and 

 the Mole-hills near t!iem are consequently larger, and 

 g.encrally of a different coUiur. These nests are to 

 be dug up : having first intercepted the road be- 

 tween them and the Mole-hills in the vicinity, to 

 cut off the retreat of the inhabitants. 



"The next im.portant circumstance is, to discover 

 which are the frequented streets, and which the bye- 

 roads; for the purpose of setting subterraneous traps. 

 This is effected by making a mark on every new 

 Mole-hill, by a light pressure of the foot ; and the 

 next morning, observing whether a Mole has again 

 passed that way, and obliterated the foot-mark. 

 This is to be done for two or three successive morn->- 

 ings. These foot-marks should not be deeply im« 

 pressed ; lest the animal be alarmed on his return, 

 and thus induced to form a new branch of road ra-* 

 ther than open the obstructed one. 



'• The traps are then to be set in the frequented 

 streets, so a^ to fit nicely the divided canal. They 

 consist of a hollow semi-cylinder of wood; with 

 grooved rings at each end, in which are placed 

 nooses of horsehair, fastened loosely by a peg in the 

 centre, and stretched above ground by a bent stick. 

 When the Mole has passed half-way through one of 



