passages continually formed and pushed in all
directions from the high road. "Nothing surely,"
observes Mr. Bell, in describing this interesting
construction, "can be imagined more admirably
calculated to ensure the security or the retreat of
the inhabitant, than such an arrangement of internal routes of communication as this. The
chamber communicating beneath directly with
the road, and above with the upper gallery,—this with the lower by five passages, and the latter
again with the road by no less than nine,—exhibit altogether a complication of architecture,
which may rival the more celebrated erections of the Beaver."[1]
The Mole is an object of strong dislike to the farmer, who attributes much damage to the corn and other crops to the excavations of this animal: it is, however, by no means certain, that the evil is not counterbalanced by the destruction of various noxious larvae and worms. Mr. Jesse considers that sheep thrive better in pastures where mole-hills are abundant, than where they are levelled and destroyed; and he confirms his own judgment by the opinion of the Ettrick Shepherd.[2]
Family III. Soricidæ.
(Shrews.)
The feet of the Shrews are formed for walking, or for swimming, distinguishing this family from the preceding; while their coat of soft fur is
destitute of the spines that mark the Hedgehogs.
