CHAPTER XXVI 



MOLES 



The mole is found throughout the United States. The larger 

 species come from the Northwest and are found in large quantities 

 in the states of Oregon and Washington. The Northwestern mole 

 is almost twice as large as the mole from the Central and Eastern 

 states. The mole lives chiefly on earth worms and insects and in- 

 habits the ground. To the extent that they destroy insects they are 

 beneficial to the farmer, but they often work in gardens, lawns, and 

 young orchards, and do considerable damage by ploughing up the 

 soil and undermining tender plants. 



MOLE 



In recent years the mole has become very popular as an article of 

 fur. They are collected in large quantities in Europe. The mole is 

 most abundant in moist, rich, soil and prefers damp shaded ground. 

 The mole is often confused with other small ground animals, such as 

 the meadow mouse and the gopher. It can, however, be readily 

 distinguished from any of these by its short, stout front limbs ending 

 in a broad rounded hand with the palms turned outward. It has a 

 very close plush-like fur, and a pointed snout and a short tail. Nei- 

 ther external eyes or ears are evident. There is a question as to 

 whether the mole is totally blind or not, but at best it can merely 

 distinguish between light and dark, as the vestigual organs of sight 

 lite wholly beneath the skin. 



