THE DOCILE MAMMALS. 



245 



ciawMs; see, Frontispiece, on the right side); it is semi- 

 social, and takes in perforce as boarders the owl and rattle- 

 snake, which devour its young. 



The Moles and other Insect-eaters. — The miners among 

 mammals are the moles (Fig. 

 244), They are rarely seen, 

 not leaving their tunnels ex- 

 cept at night. How admirably 

 their bodies are adapted to a 

 subterranean life, and for rapid 

 progress under the surface of 

 the soil, is seen in their sharp 

 nose and their strong, spade- 

 like fore feet. The fore legs 

 are short, thick, and muscular, 

 the bones (Fig. 343) very 

 stout and solid. Moreover, 

 they shun the light, for if they 



Fig. 343.— Bones of fore leg of a 

 Mole. 53, the cubital scapula; 53, 

 humerus; 54, ulna; 55, ramus. 



Fig. 244.— Common Mole, Scalops aquaticus Xiinn. (Natural size.) 



appeared above the surface of the ground they would be 

 snapped up by owls, hawks, or cats. Hence their eyes are 



