24 Notes on the Mole. 



was falling, or rather being blown, in a perfect torrent. Hoping 

 that every hour might bring some remission of the tempest, I 

 waited until about 9 a.m., and then opened the box. Twelve 

 hours had just elapsed since the mole had received his last supply 

 of worms, and as he must have spent considerable time in 

 hunting them about his box, I should think- that at least 

 another hour must have passed before the last worm was con- 

 sumed. But, the mole was dead. He had not been dead very 

 long; he was quite stiff, with one of his paws held out sideways, 

 as if his last act had been to fling the julus away, and his nose, 

 still flexible, was pressed upon the earth. 



I much lamented his loss, but could not charge myself with 

 neglect. I forgot to weisrh the worms which he devoured, but 

 as they would have filled my two hands held cupwise, I may 

 infer that they weighed very little less than the animal who ate 

 them. From the extreme voracity and restless movements of 

 this creature, I can well comprehend the value of the mole to 

 the agriculturist ; firstly, as a subsoil- drainer, who works with- 

 out wages, and, secondly, as the means appointed for keeping 

 the prolific race of worms within due bounds. 



Of course, the fur was filled with parasites, as is the case 

 with all animals, and very tough parasites they were, refusing 

 for a long time to succumb to the fumes of ammonia, and being 

 only killed by a twelve hours' immersion in that potent 

 vapour. 



Being desirous of turning the dead animal to the best 

 account, I determined to try my hand again at preserving the 

 skin after Mr. Waterton's system. I have already tried a 

 water-vole, and failed very completely, but hope that this time 

 the defeat will be less conspicuous. 



As the fur was slowly drying after its immersion, I was 

 surprised to see that a decided reddish tint was perceptible 

 up on its surface. Thinking that this effect might have been 

 produced l>y the reflection from some coloured substance, I 

 moved it to another window, but found that the colour was 

 visible whenever the light fell obliquely upon the fur. The 

 tint is exactly that of a copper teakettle just where the copper 

 changes into red, and whenever the light falls diagonally upon 

 the tar, a rirli green gloss plays fitfully over the soft hairs. 

 These eflecta were not visible before the fur was thoroughly 



bed, ami even the gray-brown tints seemed to deepen 

 notably alter the cleansing process which precedes the skinning 

 of quadrupeds intended to be mounted upon that system. 



