Page:Natural History (1848).djvu/65

Rh formed indeed rather by the compression of the earth into the sides, than by excavation; and hence it is very smooth and compact, being traversed several times every day. Its width, too, is

FORTRESS OF THE MOLE.

greater than that of the mole’s body. A passage from the central chamber descends perpendicularly, and rising at some distance from the fortress enters the high road. From various points in the basal gallery, about nine other passages stretch out like the spokes of a wheel, but all these curve round, and enter the high road at various distances. It is worthy of observation, that the connecting passages of the galleries and the chamber, never open opposite each other. In this curious abode the Mole resides during the summer, and from it, he perforates the surrounding domain by