Class I. MOLE. 159 



would have been impeded, and its security pre- 

 carious. 



The skin is most excessively compact, and so 

 tough as not to be cut but by a very sharp knife ; 

 the hair is very short, and close set, and softer 

 than the finest silk ; the usual color is black, not 

 but that there are instances of these animals ' 



being spotted,* and a creme colored breed h - 

 sometimes found in my lands near Doivnhig. 



The smallness of the eyes (which gave occa- , 



sion to the antients to deny it the sense of sight,)^ 

 is to this animal a peculiar happiness ; a small 

 degree of vision is sufficient for an animal ever 

 destined to live under ground ; had these organs . 

 been larger, they would have been perpetually 

 liable to injuries, by the earth falling into them ; " 

 but nature, to prevent that inconvenience, hath 

 not only made them very small, but also cover- 

 ed them very closely with fur. Anatomists 

 mention (besides these) a third very wonderful 

 contrivance for their security, and inform us that 

 each eye is furnished with a certain muscle, by 

 which the animal has the power of withdrawing 

 or exerting them, according to its exigencies. 



To make amends for the dimness of its sight, 



* Edw. 268. ■ • 



• t Aut oculis capti fodere cubllia talpas. Firg. Georg. 1, 

 Or sightless moles have dug their chamber'd lodge. 



