OBSERVATIONS ON THE MOLE. 52^9 
instrument, such as a common garden-weedock ; and that 
in which you place your trap, should, if possible, be not 
more than two or three inches below the surface of the 
ground. When the run lies deep, it becomes inconvenient 
for setting the trap. A little experience will soon enable 
you to discover an old run or track. 
It has been questioned by some whether moles have any 
organs of vision ; but that they have, must now be univer- 
sally admitted. Their eyes are, however, exceedingly small ; 
and it may be thought that, from the usual mode of life 
pursued by these animals, the sense of sight can be of 
little use to them : yet there are facts to shew, or, at least, 
to render it very highly probable, that they see to a con- 
siderable distance. I have been favoured with one very 
remarkable fact of this sort, by the Reverend William 
Macritchie, minister of the parish of Clunicj in Perth- 
shire, a member of this Society. It would seem to prove, 
that moles have a much more extensive sphere of vision than 
might at first be imagined. The account of thp fact alluded 
to, as transmitted to me in a letter by Mr Maceitciiie, is 
so full and satisfactory, that I beg leave to copy his ipsis- 
sima verba. Indeed I should nqt in any other way do jus- 
tice to the subject. 
To Dr Gkierson. 
Manse qfChmie, 9,5th March 1822. 
*' Dear Sir, 
" I HAVE your favour of the 19th current, and, in reply 
to your queries respecting the Mole mentioned to you by 
our friend Dr Baird, I |3eg leave to state the following 
particulars. 
Though the fact, alluded to by the Principal, did not 
fall under my own observation (it having happened about 
two months previous to my coming to reside here), it was 
