HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 393 



by which it has the power of withdrawing or exerting 

 them at pleafure. Its eyes are extremely fmall, and per- 

 fectly hid in the fur ; but it is probable, they are fo 

 formed, as to admit diftinct images of the diminutive ob- 

 jects of its purfuit. 



The form of this creature's body, and particularly the 

 conftruction of its fore feet, are admirably adapted to the 

 purpofe of making its way in the earth, which it does 

 with wonderful facility: They are quite naked, very 

 broad, with large palms, almoft like a hand : There are 

 five toes on each, terminated with ftrong nails, very con- 

 cave on the under fide; and, in place of a thumb, a 

 ftrong bone under the (kin. The hind feet are very 

 fmall, with five llender toes, and a fmall thumb on the 

 infide. — Whenever it happens to be furprifed on the fur- 

 face of the ground, it difappears in an inilant ; and every 

 attempt to prevent its fubterraneous retreat would be 

 vain. 



The Mole is mo 0.1 y found in grounds where the foil is 

 loofe and foft, and affords the greatefl quantity of worms 

 and infects, on which it feeds. 



, The female brings forth in the fpring, and generally 

 produces four or five at a time. The young are quite 

 naked, and continue fo till they are grown to a confider- 

 able fize. — It makes its neft a little below the furface of 

 the ground, forming a commodious apartment, where it 

 prepares a warm bed of mofs and herbage : From this 

 there are feveral paflages in different directions, to which 

 it can retreat with its young ones in cafe of danger; into 

 thefe it likewife makes excurfions in quell of food. — In 

 the act of forming its tracks or runs, it throws up large 

 heaps of mould, which are extremely troublefome and in- 



