Page:Natural History (1848).djvu/63

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MOLES.
53

compressed. The eyes are very small, and nearly or quite concealed; the tail is short; the muzzle is simple; there are nails upon all the toes.

The structural peculiarities of the Moles having been briefly described in our notice of the Family, we have now to speak but of their economy. The species are but few, and our common Mole or Want (Talpa Europæa, Linn.) is a fair representative not only of the genus, but also of the Family, in which there is little variety, either of form or habits.

MOLE.
MOLE.

MOLE.

The beautiful appearance of the fur, its velvety softness, and the play of light upon its surface, are well known, as it is frequently used for purses. The last circumstance, the changing gleam of light,