INSECT-EATERS. 101 



the senses of hearing and feoling in an eminent degree. Its skin 

 is as soft as silk ; and its little paws, which are furnished with five 

 claws, are very different from those of other animals, and almost 

 like the hands of a human being. Proportioned to the size of its 

 body, its strength is great; it possesses the mild habitudes of 

 repose and of solitude ; the art of securing itself, of forming, in- 

 stantaneously as it were, an asylum to itself, or extending it, and 

 of obtaining, without the necessity of relinquishing it, an abundant 

 subsistence. 



The mole shuts up the entry to its retreat, which it seldom 

 deserts, unless forced to it by heavy rains in summer. It is fond 

 of cultivated grounds, and is never to be found in those which are 

 either muddy, hard, compact, or stony. It requires a soft soil, 

 well supplied with esculent roots, and with insects and worms, of 

 which, indeed, its principal nourishment consists. In the skinning 

 of worms, which they always do before they eat them, they display 

 much expertness; stripping off the skin from end to end, and 

 squeezing out the contents of the body. 



As these animals very seldom come above ground, they have 

 but few enemies ; and very readily evade the pursuit of animals 

 swifter and stronger than themselves. The chief calamity which 

 befals them is an inundation ; and when this happens, they are 

 seen in numbers attempting to save themselves by swimming, and 

 using every effort to reach the higher grounds. The greatest part, 

 however, perish, as well as their young, which remain in the holes 

 behind. Were it not for such accidents, from their great fecund- 

 ity, they would become exceedingly troublesome. They generally 

 have four or five at a time ; and it is easy to distinguish among 

 other Mole hills, that in which the female has brought forth her 

 young. These are made with much greater art than the rest; and 

 are usually larger and more elevated. It is probable they pro- 

 duce oftener than once a year. Indeed it is certain, that new- 

 born moles are found from the month of April to the month of 

 August — a circumstance which, however, may be owing to their 

 having been engendered and brought forth sooner or later in the 

 year. It is a good swimmer, and can pass from bank to bank, or 



9* 



