308 



The Mole. 



very numerous along the coast of Ayrshire, just opposite 

 Antrim, and I have remarked them close to the roadside 

 in Anglesea, near to Holyhead, which I mention on account 

 of its western position." 



It is curious that although the Mole is not found in Ireland 

 the Irish have several names for it : caochan (the blind 

 creature), criadhlnch (the earth mouse), and luck da 11 (the 

 blind mouse). 



From the naturalist's point of view, the mole is especially 

 interesting as furnishing a remarkable illustration of the 

 adaptation of structure to habits. Spending most of its time 

 underground as it does, in tunnels of its own construction,, 

 we note first that the cylindrical form of its body, pointed 

 muzzle, and short limbs, must facilitate progress in its 

 burrows ; secondly, that the ears having no external conch,, 

 are not liable to be filled with the crumbling soil which is 

 displaced as it works its way underground ; thirdly, that the 

 fur being inserted perpendicularly to the surface of the skin, 

 will lie in any direction, and does not prevent a retrograde 

 movement in the tunnel, should a retreat in that direction 

 become necessary ; fourthly, that the forelimbs, short, broad, 

 and spade-shaped, with strong claws and worked by power- 

 ful muscles, are admirably suited for digging; and fifthly that 

 the prehensile snout and long jaws set with sharp teeth are 

 well adapted for seizing, holding, and masticating the earth- 

 worms, field slugs, and insect larvae, on which it chiefly preys. 

 The anterior limbs are singularly well adapted for the purpose 

 to which they are applied, and the peculiar structure of the 

 bones of the shoulder and forearm are in perfect harmony 

 with the singular shape and direction of the hand. The joints 

 of the digits are very short, with the exception of the terminal 

 ones, which are almost as long as the rest of the hand ; these 

 are convex above, grooved beneath, tapering at the extremi- 

 ties, and each is furnished with a long acute nail which is 

 rendered strong by having the terminal phalange (which 

 enters into and supports the nail) cleft longitudinally at its 

 point. Into this furrow in the bone a corresponding rib of 

 horn on the inside of the nail passes, thus making the nail of 

 more than usual thickness and strength. The* palms are 



