COMMON MOLE. 
themselves* Their greatest col amity is an Inund&~ 
tion ; from which; wherever it happens* they are seen 
in numbers attempting to save themselves by swim- 
ming, and using every effort to reach the higher 
grounds. The greatest part; however; perish* as 
well as their young; which remain in the holes 
behind. W ere it not for such accidents; from 
their great fecundity; they would become extreme*- 
ly troublesome ; and; as it is; in some places* they 
are considered by the farmer as Iiis greatest pest. 
They couple towards the approach of spring ; and 
their young are found about the beginning of May. 
They generally have four or five at a time ; and 
it is easy to distinguish among other mole-hills* 
that in which the female has brought forth her 
young. These are made with much greater art 
than the rest ; and are usually larger. The fe- 
male; in order to form this retreat; begins by 
erecting the earth into a tolerable spacious apart- 
ment; which is supported within by partitions* 
at proper distances* that prevent the roof from 
falling. All round this she works* and beats the 
earth very firm* so as to make it capable of keep- 
ing out the rain* let it be never so violent. As the 
hillock* in which this is thus formed* is raised 
above ground* the apartment itself is consequently 
above the level of the plain* and* therefore* less 
subject to accidental slight inundations. The 
place being thus fitted* she then procures grass 
and dry leaves as a bed for her young. There 
they lie secure from wet* and she continues to 
make their retreat equally so from danger ; for all 
round this hill of her own raising* are holes 
running into the earth* that part from the middle 
apartment* like rays from a centre* and extend 
about’ fifteen feet in every direction ; these resem- 
ble so many walks* or chases* into which the 
animal makes her subterraneous excursions* and 
