22 



HOMES WITHOUT HANDS. 



Fortress of the Mole. 



rangements of wonderful completeness. It has regular roads 

 leading to its feeding-grounds ; establishes a system of commu- 

 nication as elaborate as that of a modern railway, or to be more 

 correct, as that of the subterranean network of metropolitan sew- 

 ers ; and is an animal of varied accomplishments. 



It can run tolerably fast, it can fight like a bulldog, it can cap- 

 ture prey under or above ground, it can swim fearlessly, and it 

 can sink wells for the purpose of quenching its thirst. It is, in- 

 deed, a most interesting animal, and our comparatively small 

 knowledge of its habits gives promise of much that is yet to be 

 made known. 



Take the Mole out of its proper sphere, and it is as awkward 

 and clumsy as the sloth when placed on level ground, or the seal 

 when brought ashore. Replace it in the familiar earth, and it be- 

 comes a different being — full of life and energy, and actuated by 



