THE MOLE. 
341 
deadly peril. Its eyes are then perceptible, as little, black, beady objects that glitter through 
the fur, but do not appear to enjoy any great powers of vision. This power of protruding and 
withdrawing the eyes is rendered necessary by the subterranean habits of the animal, which 
is thus able to protect its eyes from the loose mould through which it is constantly passing. 
In order to adapt the Mole to the peculiar life which it leads, the entire framework of its 
body is very wonderfully constructed. As its chief employment consists in digging, the entire 
strength of the animal seems to be concentrated in the fore-quarters, where the bones and 
muscles are developed to a marvellous extent. If the Mole be stripped of its skin, the muscles 
of the fore-limbs will be found to be so powerful that they roll between the fingers, hard, 
slippery, and almost incompressible. These enormous muscles give power and motion to the 
very efficient digging apparatus with which the Mole is endowed. 
The fore-paws are extremely large, and furnished with strong and flattened nails. They 
are turned rather obliquely, as seen in the figure, in order to give free scope to their exertions. 
The bones of the fore-arm are of very great thickness, and bowed in that peculiar manner which 
always indicates enormous strength in the possessor. But the most striking and curious 
peculiarity in the structure of the Mole is the singularly long shoulder-blade, which, by its 
great length and strength, affords attachment to the powerful muscles which alone could give 
the requisite force to the broad, spade-like paws. The paws are devoid of the soft fur that 
shields the rest of the body, and are covered with a thick but naked skin. It is chiefly to these 
paws that any mould is found adherent when the Mole is captured, for the soft and velvet-like 
fur permits no earthy stain to defile its glossy smoothness. 
The Mole’s fur is remarkably fine in its texture, and is affixed to the skin in such a man- 
ner that it has no particular “grain,” and lies smoothly in every direction. This peculiarity 
enables the Mole to proceed along its galleries with the necessary celerity. 
The skin of the Mole is remarkably tough and thick, and is often used by the peasantry 
for the purpose of making purses. The process of manufacture is simple enough, consisting 
merely in cutting the animal across, just behind the shoulders, stripping the skin from the 
hinder portions, drying it carefully, and closing it by means of a string run round the edge. 
The Mole is said to be an excellent swimmer, and to be able to cross rivers, when led 
to such an act by any adequately powerful motive. How far true this assertion may be, I can- 
not prove by personal experience ; but I think that it is likely to be possible, for I have seen a 
Mole swim across the bend of a brook — a distance of some few yards — and perform its 
natatory achievement with great ease. I was not near enough to ascertain the mode of its 
progression, but it seemed to use its fore-paws as the principal instruments of locomotion. 
From all accounts, the Mole seems to be a thirsty animal, and to stand in constant need 
of water, drinking every few hours in the course of the day. In order to supply this want it 
is in the habit of sinking well-like pits in different parts of its “runs,” so that it may never be 
without the means of quenching its thirst. Everything that the Mole does is marked with 
that air of desperate energy which is so characteristic of the animal. The laborers in different 
parts of Europe all unite in the same story, that the Mole works for three hours 4 4 like a 
horse,” and then rests for three hours, laboring and resting alternately through the day, and 
with admirable perception of time. 
The well-known mole-hills ’ ’ which stud certain lands, and which disfigure them so sadly, 
however much their unsightliness may be compensated by their real usefulness, are of various 
kinds, according to the sex and age of the miner. The small hillocks which follow each other 
in rapid succession are generally made by the female Mole before she has produced her little 
family, and when she is not able to undergo the great labor of digging in the harder soil. 
Sometimes the 4 4 run ” is so shallow as to permit the superincumbent earth to fall in, so that 
the course which the Mole has followed is little more than a trench. This is said to be pro- 
duced by the little coquetries that take place between the Mole and his future mate, when the 
one flies in simulated terror, and the other follows with undisguised determination. 
Deeper in the soil is often found a very large burrow, sufficiently wide to permit two 
Moles to pass each other. This is one of the high-roads which lead from one feeding-ground 
to another, and from which the different shafts radiate. 
