MOLES. 67 



gress ; while the absence of external ears, and the rudimentary 

 condition of the eyes, are likewise subservient to the same pur- 

 pose. Not less important is the vertical position of the hairs of 

 the fur, which admits of either backward or forward progress in 

 the tunnel with equal facility. Then, again, the broad, shovel- 

 like fore-paws, armed with strong claws and turned outwards, 

 are the very best instruments we could possibly conceive for 

 tunnelling and shovelling backwards the earth; these being 

 worked by muscles of immense power, attached to bones which, 

 by their shortness and width, are calculated to afford the 

 maximum development of strength. Lastly, we must not omit 

 to mention the long, pointed, and mobile snout, furnished 

 with an extra bone at its tip, and the large series of small but 

 sharp teeth, which are equally well adapted for seizing and re- 

 taining the worms and grubs which form its food. 



Regarding the general mode of life of the species, we may 

 quote from the summary given by Macgillivray in the original 

 edition of the " Naturalist's Library." He says that its food 

 consists mainly of earth-worms, "in quest of which it burrows 

 its way in the soil, extending its subterranean excursions in 

 proportion as its prey diminishes in number ; but the excessive 

 and unremitting labour required in this pursuit, were it carried 

 on at random, is rendered unnecessary by an instinct which 

 compels it to excavate a series of runs or galleries, along which 

 it can walk without inconvenience, and from different points 

 of which it proceeds, forcing its way into the hitherto unper- 

 forated soil. In forming its subterranean paths, it works with 

 its fore-feet, which, as has been seen, are admirably adapted 

 for scraping away the earth and throwing it backwards, pro- 

 pelling itself forward by its hind-feet, which are disposed in the 

 usual manner. When it has thus excavated an extended series 

 of walks, it can run along them to any point without difficulty, 

 and finds security in them from the pursuit of many enemies, 



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