Mole
THE STAR-NOSED MOLE.
THE order of Moles is very widely spread, although the different genera are each restricted within very narrow limits.
One genus is found only in Europe and Asia, another in Africa, several in North America, and so on. They do not appear to inhabit any part of South America. All of the genera have a stout, clumsy body, no visible neck, pointed snout, strong claws, short tail, and no external ear. The eyes are so small that it was long supposed to have no organs of sight at all. Its whole structure is admirably adapted to its under-ground life. In few animals are the senses of hearing, smell, and touch, so acute. The openings of the mouth and ears are provided with membraneous folds, which when closed prevent the admission of earth.
The mole is no great favorite with farmers, for it not unfrequently commits sad havoc among growing crops; but, upon the whole, the direct loss occasioned by it is more than counterbalanced by its destruction of injurious insects and noxious weeds. One of the most singular of this family is the Condylura cristata, or starnosed mole of Florida and some other parts of North America. It is distinguished by having the end of its nose surrounded by twenty-two fleshy, radiating filaments, arranged so as to present the appearance of a star. These serve as extremely sensitive organs of touch, by means of which it detects the worms which form its principal article of food.
S. Magazine.