Class L MOLE. 159 



would have been impeded, and its security pre- 

 carious. 



The skin is most excessively compact, and so 

 tough as not to be cut but by a very sharp knife ; 

 the hair is very short, and close set, and softer 

 than the finest silk ; the usual color is black, not 

 but that there are instances of these animals 

 being spotted,* and a creme colored breed is 

 sometimes found in my lands near Downing. 



The smallness of the eyes (which gave occa- 

 sion to the antients to deny it the sense of sight, )f 

 is to this animal a peculiar happiness ; a small 

 degree of vision is sufficient for an animal ever 

 destined to live under ground ; had these organs 

 been larger, they would have been perpetually 

 liable to injuries, by the earth falling into them ; 

 but nature, to prevent that inconvenience, hath 

 not only made them very small, but also cover- 

 ed them very closely with fur. Anatomists 

 mention (besides these) a third very wonderful 

 contrivance for their security, and inform us that 

 each eye is furnished with a certain muscle, by 

 which the animal has the power of withdrawing 

 or exerting them, according to its exigencies. 



To make amends for the dimness of its sight 



o 



* Edw. 268. 



f Aut oculis capti fodere cubilia talpse. Virg. Georg. i. 

 Or sightless males have dug their chamber 'd lodge. 



