124 TALPABiE. 



Another very important part of the encampment is 

 the high road, which has been termed by the Continental 

 naturalists " the passage " — a name which alFords no 

 distinctive idea of its nature or use. It differs essentially 

 from all the other routes and excavations, both in its 

 construction and use. It extends from the fortress to 

 the extremity of the domain in nearly a direct line, 

 forming in fact the main route of communication between 

 the fortress and the different parts of the encampment ; 

 and the alleys which lead to the hunting-ground, or 

 quarries, open into it on each side. Its circumference 

 is larger than the body of the Mole, though not large 

 enough to admit of two individuals passing each other. 

 The walls are beaten by the frequent pressure of the 

 animal's sides against them, until they become very 

 smooth and compact : in fact, this road is principally 

 formed by the compression of the earth which surrounds 

 it, rather than by actual excavation ; and hence the 

 infrequency of mole-hills over it, compared with the 

 number which are observed in connection with the alleys 

 and the quarries, in forming which the earth is removed 

 out of the way by being thrown up on the surface. In 

 some instances the same Mole forms a second and even a 

 third road ; but this is generally done in order to extend 

 its operations to a new and more productive district. 

 In other cases, many Moles are known to employ 

 one road, though they never intrude upon each 

 other's hunting-ground : in this case, should two of 

 them meet, one must retreat into the nearest 

 alley, or a battle ensues, which proves fatal to the 

 weaker of the combatants. The road is formed 

 at a greater or less depth from the surface, according 

 to the nature of the soil, the danger of injury from 

 superincumbent pressure, and other circumstances. 



