36 MOLE-HILL. 



The accompanying cut shows a section of the 

 inole-palace. 



MOLE- HILL. 



This palace is formed, if possible, under the pro- 

 tection of large stones, roots of trees, thick bushes, 

 or some such situation ; and is located as far as pos- 

 sible from paths or roads. 



The food of the mole mostly consists of earth- 

 worms, in search of which it drives these tunnels 

 with such assiduity. The depth of the tunnel is ne- 

 cessarily regulated by the position of the worms ; so 

 that in warm pleasant days or evenings the run, as 

 it is called, is within a few inches of the surface ; 

 but in winter the worms retire deeply into the un- 

 frozen soil, and thither the mole must follow them. 

 For this purpose it sinks perpendicular shafts, and 

 from thence drives horizontal tunnels. It may be 

 seen how useful this provision is when one thinks of 

 the work that is done by the mole when providing 

 for its own sustenance. 



In the cold months, it drives deeply into the 

 ground, thereby draining it, and preventing the roots 

 of plants from becoming sodden by the retention of 

 water above ; and the earth is brought from below, 



