THE MOLE. 341 



deadly peril. Its eyes are then perceptible, as little, black, beady objects that glitter through 

 the fur, but do not appear to enjoy any great powers of vision. This power of protruding and 

 withdrawing the eyes is rendered necessary by the subterranean habits of the animal, which 

 is thus able to protect its eyes from the loose mould through which it is constantly passing. 



In order to adapt the Mole to the peculiar life which it leads, the entire framework of its 

 body is very wonderfully constructed. As its chief employment consists in digging, the entire 

 strength of the animal seems to be concentrated in the fore-quarters, where the bones and 

 muscles are developed to a marvellous extent. If the Mole be stripped of its skin, the muscles 

 of the fore-limbs will be found to be so powerful that they roll between the fingers, hard, 

 slippery, and almost incompressible. These enormous muscles give power and motion to the 

 very efficient digging apparatus with which the Mole is endowed. 



The fore-paws are extremely large, and furnished with strong and flattened nails. They 

 are turned rather obliquely, as seen in the figure, in order to give free scope to their exertions. 

 The bones of the fore-arm are of very great thickness, and bowed in that peculiar manner which 

 always indicates enormous strength in the possessor. But the most striking and curious 

 peculiarity in the structure of the Mole is the singularly long shoulder-blade, which, by its 

 great length and strength, affords attachment to the powerful muscles which alone could give 

 the requisite force to the broad, spade-like paws. The paws are devoid of the soft fur that 

 shields the rest of the body, and are covered with a thick but naked skin. It is chiefly to these 

 paws that any mould is found adherent when the Mole is captured, for the soft and velvet-like 

 fur permits no earthy stain to defile its glossy smoothness. 



The Mole's fur is remarkably fine in its texture, and is affixed to the skin in such a man- 

 ner that it has no particular "grain," and lies smoothly in every direction. This peculiarity 

 enables the Mole to proceed along its galleries with the necessary celerity. 



The skin of the Mole is remarkably tough and thick, and is often used by the peasantry 

 for the purpose of making purses. The process of manufacture is simple enough, consisting 

 merely in cutting the animal across, just behind the shoulders, stripping the skin from the 

 hinder portions, drying it carefully, and closing it by means of a string run round the edge. 



The Mole is said to be an excellent swimmer, and to be able to cross rivers, when led 

 to such an act by any adequately powerful motive. How far true this assertion may be, I can- 

 not prove by personal experience ; but I think that it is likely to be possible, for I have seen a 

 Mole swim across the bend of a brook — a distance of some few yards — and perform its 

 natatory achievement with great ease. I was not near enough to ascertain the mode of its 

 progression, but it seemed to use its fore-paws as the principal instruments of locomotion. 



From all accounts, the Mole seems to be a thirsty animal, and to stand in constant need 

 of water, drinking every few hours in the course of the day. In order to supply this want it 

 is in the habit of sinking well-like pits in different parts of its " runs, 1 ' so that it may never be 

 without the means of quenching its thirst. Everything that the Mole does is marked with 

 that air of desperate energy which is so characteristic of the animal. The laborers in different 

 parts of Europe all unite in the same story, that the Mole works for three hours ' ' like a 

 horse," and then rests for three hours, laboring and resting alternately through the day, and 

 with admirable perception of time. 



The well-known " mole-hills " which stud certain lands, and which disfigure them so sadly, 

 however much their unsightliness may be compensated by their real usefulness, are of various 

 kinds, according to the sex and age of the miner. The small hillocks which follow each other 

 in rapid succession are generally made by the female Mole before she has produced her little 

 family, and when she is not able to undergo the great labor of digging in the harder soil. 

 Sometimes the "run" is so shallow as to permit the superincumbent earth to fall in, so that 

 the course which the Mole has followed is little more than a trench. This is said to be pro- 

 duced by the little coquetries that take place between the Mole and his future mate, when the 

 one flies in simulated terror, and the other follows with undisguised determination. 



Deeper in the soil is often found a very large burrow, sufficiently wide to permit two 

 Moles to pass each other. This is one of the high-roads which lead from one feeding-ground 

 to another, and from which the different shafts radiate. 



