FROM ilOLETOWN TO BATVILLE 391 



who wears an ornament on his nose like the rays of a 

 tiny ox-eyed daisy made in flesh ; this thhig is sup- 

 posed to aid his strong power of scent and has given 

 him tlie name of Star-nosed Mole. This ]\Iole has a 



Stak-nosed Mole. 



longer, thicker, hairier tail than his common cousin, 

 but his arms are not so powerful, and he has not the 

 perfect shovel hands. Now, how do these tunnellers 

 live, what do they eat, and are they doers of good or 

 of evil '? 



" When the jNIole enters fresh ground to nrake a home, 

 he first barrows a slanting pathway a couple of inches 

 underground; below this the main avenues are extended 

 through the section he considers his farm. These wide 

 avenues by being constantly used become smooth and 

 firm from the pressure of the animal's body, and he does 

 not willingly leave them, but often repairs them if they 

 cave in. At intervals there are short side roads from 

 these avenues, that serve as hiding-i)laces or switch 

 tracks, for a Mole to step into when he meets one of 



