Page:Natural History (1848).djvu/64

54: depends upon a remarkable peculiarity in the mode in which the fur grows. Each hair, instead of projecting from the skin obliquely backwards, as is usual, grows perpendicularly from the surface, without any inclination; so that like the pile of velvet it will lie in any direction in which it is rubbed: an interesting provision for an animal which often has to retreat rapidly backwards through a burrow too narrow to admit of turning. Though usually deep black, or silvery gray, according to the light, the Mole is sometimes found of a cream-colour, and occasionally of a bright orange hue.

The burrowing of the Mole is not a mere perforation of the earth at random, in search of the earth-worms (its ordinary food,) that are everywhere scattered through the soil. It is, on the contrary, performed with consummate art and regularity. A central ‘‘ fortress” is constructed so elaborately as to excite our admiration of the wisdom and goodness of God in endowing this little despised animal with instincts so extraordinary. In some situation of security, as under a bank or at the foot of a wall, a large hillock is formed of earth, which the Mole by pressing and beating has rendered compact. Within this dome the habitation or fortress is excavated. A circular gallery runs within the base, which communicates with one of less diameter above it, by five distinct passages. Three other passages lead from the latter. to a chamber within the basal gallery, which is the resting place of the Mole. From the basal gallery a passage extends to the extremity of the domain which the animal uses as his hunting ground. It differs from the ordinary excavations, and has been called the ‘‘ high road.” It is