24 TALPID^— TALPA 



These are generally in ascending spirals, and often terminate 

 blindly (Fig. 12). 



(d) Those not connected directly with the nest - cavity, 

 but traversing the fortress from runs outside it. Through 

 these earth has been carried to form a protective heap over the 

 nest. Fig. 14 represents a rare case of the spiral tunnel 

 assuming the stereotyped form of upper and lower "circular 

 galleries," as represented by de Vaux and others. 



The so-called " lower circular gallery " is formed, accord- 

 ing to Mr Adams's explanation, when the many tunnels and 

 up-shafts become connected at their bases during the heaving- 

 up of turf In peaty or marshy grounds large pieces of turf 

 are often raised, and beneath such an upheaval Mr Adams has 

 found a nest containing young. 



The average fortress is about one foot in height and three 

 feet in diameter, but Mr Adams has measured one fifteen inches 

 in height and five feet in diameter. Mr Evans examined 

 another, the diameter of which reached no less than eight and 

 the height nearly two and a half feet. 



The nest-cavity is roughly spherical, about the size of a 

 large cottage loaf, and quite smooth from constant friction and 

 use. The nest, which completely fills the nest-cavity, is a ball 

 of grass, or leaves and moss,^ or a mixture of all three. Mr 

 Adams found a nest made entirely of dead beech leaves, others 

 entirely of dead oak leaves. In a nest made of grass the finest 

 and driest material is in the centre, the coarsest outside and 

 mixed with damp earth. Usually, if taken out bodily, the nest 

 must be unwound to find the centre, but on land where the 

 grass is short it comes to pieces very easily. There is never a 

 hole apparent, and not only is the nest always found closed 

 when the young are within, but in all cases, even when old and 

 long deserted. When dry grass is not obtainable fresh green 

 grass is used, which soon withers and gets dry with the heat 

 of the mole's body. The inside of the nest is warm to the 

 touch when the animal has not long quitted it. Nests con- 

 taining young, as well as those of the males found in their 

 fortresses, are invariably infested with fleas and mites. 



Despite le Court's contrary assertions, Mr Adams has in 



' This paragraph, Jide Adams and Evans. 



