14 
ANIMALS OF NORTH AMERICA. 
The adaptation of the structure of animals to their modes of 
life, is perhaps in no instance more apparent than in the orga- 
nization of this creature. Its short and strong fore-limbs, 
broad, firm feet, and powerful claws, pointed nose, of which 
the extremity moves in all directions, the round form of its 
body, and minute eyes, are all so befitting the place and 
manner of its life, that without the combination of these parts, 
it could never exist. Its eyes are adapted to the mere per- 
ception of light, since distant vision would be useless to one 
living entirely under ground, and being so densely covered 
with a silky fur, are proof against the moist earth, through 
which it travels. Its sense of hearing is very acute, diving 
into the earth with a facility perfectly astonishing. 
In the construction of its dwelling it displays much taste 
and judgment. This consists of a little hillock in some dry 
place, from which paths run in all directions, each terminating 
at the surface, where a small aperture is left. These paths, as 
well as the ground about its headquarters, are made solid by 
the continual passing of their inmates, so that they not only 
may not admit water during rainy weather, but serve also as 
a means by which they obtain their daily food, consisting of 
worms and insects, which finding their way into them cannot 
escape, and thus fall an easy prey. 
All attempts at taming a mole have hitherto proved unsuc- 
cessful ; we, however, subjoin the following account of one 
brought by some young people to the Rev. J. C. Wood, an 
eminent naturalist. It ran about in a large box in which it 
was secured, with great agility, thrusting its long and flexible 
snout into every crevice. A little earth was placed in the 
box, which it entered and re-entered, scattering it tolerably 
evenly here and there, twitching every now and then, with a 
quick convulsive shaking, the loose earth from its fur. It was 
unremitting in its efforts to get through the box, but the wood 
was too tough for it to make an impression ; and after satis- 
fying itself that it could not get through a deal board, it took 
