ClafsL MOLE. 109 



trated ; yet the uniformity of its attention to every 

 article of the creation, even the mod contemptible, 

 bv adapting the parts to its deflined courfe of life, 

 appears more evident in tiie mole than in any other 

 animal. 



A fubterraneous abode being allotted to it, the 

 feeming defecls offeveral of its parts, vanilli ; which, 

 initead of appearing maimed, or unfinifhed, exhibit a 

 mod ftriking proof of the fitnefs of their contrivance. 



The breadth, flrength, and fliortnefs of the fore- 

 feet, which are inclined fideways, anfwer the ufe as 

 well as form of hands ; to fcoop out the earth, to 

 form its habitation, or to purfue its prey. Had they 

 been longer, the falling in of the earth would have pre- 

 vented the quick repetition of its ilrokes in working, 

 or have impeded its courfe : the oblique pofition of 

 the fore-feet, has alfo this advantage, that it flings all 

 the loofe foil behind the animal. 



The form of the body is not lefs admirably con- 

 trived for its way of life : the fore part is thick and 

 very mufcular, giving great ftrtngth to the action of 

 of the fore-feet -, enabling it to dig its way with amaz- 

 ing force and rapidity, either to purfue its prey, or 

 elude the fearch of the moil a6tive enemy. The 

 form of its hind parts which are fmalJ and taper, en- 

 ables it to pafs with great facility through the earth, 

 that the fore-feet had flung behind •, for had each 

 part of the body been of equal thicknefs, its flight 

 would have been impeded, and its fecurity pre- 

 carious. 



I'he fmallnefs of the eyes (which gave occafion 



to 



