COMMON AMERICAN SHREW MOLE. isb 



day or two of warm weather in January, and have repeatedly observed 

 them about during a thaw, after the first autumnal frosts had occurred. 

 In Carolina there are not many weeks in a winter in which we are not 

 able to find here and there traces of the activity of the Mole. We admit, 

 however, that even in this comparatively mild climate, they appear to 

 be far less active in winter than at other seasons. 



From the foregoing facts we are inclined to think the Mole does not 

 become torpid at any time ; and in corroboration of this idea, we find that 

 the animal is not at any season found in high Northern latitudes. Dr. 

 Richardson thinks " the absence of the Shrew Mole from these countries 

 is owing to the fact that the earth-worm on which the Scalops, like the 

 common Mole, principally feeds, is unknown in the Hudson's Bay coun- 

 tries." 



The idea commonly entertained by uninformed persons, that Moles 

 have no eyes, is an error ; although our own experience confirms the 

 opinion of others, that they appear to possess the power of seeing only in 

 a very limited degree. We must not forget, however, that a wise Provi- 

 dence has adapted their organs of vision to the subterraneous life they 

 lead. Shut out from the light of the sun by a law of nature requir- 

 ing them to search for food beneath the earth's surface, these animals 

 would find a large pair of eyes one of the greatest of evils, inasmuch as 

 they would be constantly liable to be filled with sand ; thus causing in- 

 flammation, blindness, and eventually death. 



It is not, however, beyond the reach of possibility, nor contrary to the 

 economy of Nature, to suppose that during the night, when this species is 

 seen occasionally above ground, or when engaged in running or fighting, 

 or for purposes we have not yet discovered, this animal may have the power 

 of expanding its minute orbs, and drawing back the hair that entirely con- 

 ceals its eyes. This, however, is a mere conjecture, which we have thrown 

 out for the consideration of those who are fond of investigating Nature 

 in her minutest operations. 



The inquiry has often been made, if the Shrew Mole does not, feed up- 

 on the grains, or roots of the corn, peas, potatoes, &c., planted in rows or 

 in hills, why is it that this pest so ingeniously and so mischievously follows 

 the rows, and as effectually destroys the young plants, as if it had con- 

 sumed them ? We answer, it is not the spirit of mischief by which the 

 Mole is actuated ; it is the law of self-preservation. In the rows where 

 these seeds have been sown, or these vegetables planted, the ground has 

 been maniu-ed ; this, and the consequent moisture around the roots of the 

 plants, attracts worms and other insects, that are invariably found in rich 

 moist earth. 1*0 the accusations made against the Shrew Mole as a 



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