The Mole. 



313 



passes through one of the nooses and moves the peg aside, 

 the pliant wand springs up, and the Mole is held tightly 

 in the noose. 



Moleskins were formerly held in some estimation 

 for the lining of winter garments, waistcoats, and caps, 

 but the fashion in this direction seems to have changed, 

 owing probably to the facility with which warm clothing may 

 be now cheaply obtained. 



Although the colour of the Mole's fur is tolerably 

 constant — velvety black inclining to grey, according 

 to the light it is viewed in — some curious varieties 

 are occasionally met with, and the following have been 

 reported : — Light umber brown, reddish brown under 

 surface, mouse colour with tinge of 3^ellow, orange, apricot, 

 amber coloured, cream colour, albino, and piebald, the last 

 mentioned being the most uncommon variety of all. 



