GARDEN ANIMALS. 



517 



us much good by killing gnats and other insects. We have not the 

 frugiverous bats in this country, specimens of which are to be seen in 

 the Zoological Gardens, which astonish us by hanging themselves up 

 with one leg, wrapping their wings around them, and feeding with their 

 head downwards. Bats are most curious creatures, and many species 

 live in England. I have not accurately determined the two species that 

 visit my garden, but one is larger than the other. I believe them 

 to be the Common Bat {Scotophilus mtirinus) and the Great Bat 

 {Scotophilus noctiluca), but as I have never had one in my hand I cannot 

 speak with any certainty on the subject. 



" Some war with rear mice for their leathern wings, 

 To make my small elves coats.'' 



Shakspeare, Midsummer Night's Dream. 



The Mole {Talpa europcea, fig. 11 12) frequents my garden rather 

 more plentifully than is desirable. It is a restless animal, living mostly 

 in the dark, but sometimes running on the surface of the ground, when 

 it may be caught, but it cannot be 

 kept long in confinement. Although I 

 have had several, I never could tame 

 them, or even keep them alive many 

 hours. The mole has mere black tuber- ^ 



, , ^ . . • ii 1 Fig. 1112. — Mole. 



cles, mcapable of vision, in the place 



of eyes. The mole would be an inestimable benefit, by devouring 

 wireworms and other noxious insects, did it not turn up the ground 

 and uproot valuable plants. 



A few years ago a plausible article was written in favour of the 

 mole, and the author recommended that the creature should be pro- 

 tected. This paper was generally accepted by naturalists at the time, 

 but the mole is mischievous in gardens, and our practice is to catch 

 the animal whenever it visits us. After establishing a rare plant, it 

 is very vexatious for a mole to uproot it. There are a large number 

 of these creatures in Beddington Park, but a little streamlet separates 

 the park from the garden, which they must traverse to make an entry 

 The mole is caught by an iron trap, which is set in the run ; it is 



