Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1869-07-09
The HsOse---Es he the Farmers Friend
or Enemy

In this country, two kinds of moles are
common, both Of which differ from the
European mole, but they are frequently
have the thick-set, clumsy body and the
very stout, broad fore feet and short legs,
peculiar to the whole mole family. One
kind known as the star nosed mole (Con-
dylura cristata), is peculiar in having q
circle of curious soft papillP growing out
from the end of the nose and forming a
sort Of star, with about twenty rays. 1t
has fine, dark gray fur, and its ears are of
considerable size, though there are no ex-
ternal projecting parts. The eyes in both
species are very minute, and scarcely visi
bic without lens. .......
The crem-mole (.ScolopS uqa.aticusj has
long, pointed and flexible nose It's
body is larger and the fore feet are broad
er and stouter, but the ears are only very
small openings, placed far back toward
the shoulders. The fur is thick, soft and
glossy, silvery or dark gray, with beautiful
iridescent reflections, according to the
light ..as.s
The moles are most admirably adapted,
in every part of their structure, for burrOw-
ing and seeking insect prey beneath the
surface of the soil, where they pass their
whole life In such an abode eyes are of
little use, and therefore we find them very
small, for nature is always consistent
Ears are somewhat more useful by giving
warning of approaching danger, and We
find them better developed, but much less
so than in allied animals that live above
the surface-as, for example, in the shrews.
The form of the body, the thick, glossy
fur, the powerful fore legs, and broad feet
turned outward, all have immediate refer
ence to their peculiar mode Of life and
progression. The sense of smell is very
acute and the soft, fesby tip and promi-
nences of the nose are doubtless endowed
with the sense of touch in an eminent de-
gree, and thus make up for the lack OF
sight in seeking their insect food. The
teeth and digestive organs are constructed
upon the iusectivorous plan, and insects OF
various kinds are their only natural food,
though when confined they will eat meat,
either raw Or cooked But they refuse
vegetable food Of all kind
They may be easily tanned, and learn to
take food from the hand, following it
quickly by the scent. In eating, the
shrew mole has curious habit of using its
long, flexible snout to thrust the food into
its mouth, doubling it under aud thrusting
it back in way that reminds one Of the
elephants proboscis in miniature. They
usually prefer to bury themselves when
feeding, if possible. They are very active
at night, but sleep most Of the day. Their
eyes do not permit them to see objects
distinctly SO that they will often run
directly against obstacles placed in their
way. They are remarkable for great
strength, and have been known to move
heavy chairs and tables by erowding them
selves between such furniture aud the
wall. @A ~A'0'-
Both species have similar habits, but the
star-nose is particularly fond of damp
localities, especially in meadows and near
the margin OF streams, while the shrew-
mole frequensts both meadows and uplands,
and is far no. frequent in gardens than.
the, other Italso- has the habit of thfow-
ing up !" mole hills" which are often six
inches high and broad, by pushing the
soil out through an opening in the centre,
but the star-nose rarely does this It has
very remarkable habit of coming to the
surface, as if to look about or to sun itself
for few moments at noon-usually az
twelve O'Clock precisely, fac. which is