The Bessemer indicator., 1894-11-03
nEpoEAoo AND MOLE.
Not Anected by tho Ada.r Eer n.p-

Not Anected by the Adder Eer Rep
tiles Of Any Kind.
! Professor Larg had female bsdg
hog, with young ones, tnciosed In 9
box, into which he introduced = large
viper of the ordinary kind. Tno lat
ter rolled itself up in an opposite
corner, but the hedgehog scenting II,
and slowly approaching without suf-
fcient precaution, was bitten on the
snout, on which a drop OF blood ap-
peared. Returning to the charge,
she received a second wound in the
tongue. Without allowing herself
to be intimidated, she seized the SER
pent by the body.
The two combatants then became
furious. the hedgehog grunting and
shaking herself, the viper striking
again and again, and providing linn
self at every fresh attack agaIns the
! prickly skin of his opponent I'D
denly the hedgehog seized him by
the head, and without any further
sign Of emotion, devoured the auto
rior portion OF the serpent, then qui-
city returned and suckled her young.
The next day the remainder OF the
body was consumed by her. These
experiments were many times re-
peated, and always with the same re-
suit, while Mother the mother nor
her litter were in the least degree
injuriously affected in their health
by this curious repast.
The food of the hedgehog consists
principally OF insects, beetles, sna!ls,
white worms and vermin OF all kinds,
particularly OF mice. If the hedge
nog had no unpleasant odors and
were quieter in pursuit OF prey one
would certainly prefer him to a cat
as u house nouser. 1t makes up in
cunning and patience for his want Of
agility, and his noisy movements put
to fight more mice than he destroys.
In granaries and stables. where these
latter obstacles are no objection, he
must surely in time become useful
domestic animal.
The mole is creature which is
still unfortunately for the agricul-
turist) ignorantly regarded as the
enemy OF the farmer and gardener
Even in this enlightened age the
mole is regarded as the destroyer OF
the useful and valuable roots of our
fields and gardens, while it is impos-
sible to comprehend how, with teeth
formed only for tearing, it could
possibly be open to such an iuputa-
tion, Besides, what the mole eats
must surely be found in its stomach
The dissection OF dozens OF these
animals by Nogt has never resulted
in the detection of vegetable matter
In its stomach or intestines Expert
ments with moles kept in confpe-
ment are equally conclusive on this
point
In the gardens the work OF the
mole is certainly far from agree able.
but the Inconvenience thus caused
by the uprooting of young plants
cannot be compared to the ravages
of the white worms or the larvae Of
the cockchafer. which survives for
three years, and during the whole OF
its larvaal state (of twer ty-si1
mouths) feeds voraciously on our
most valuable edible roots. Often
we see a large portion o. whole
field looking dry and faded. owing to
the ravages of the worms on the
roots. and it is these pests which are
the principal food of the mole. The
most superficial examination of the
body of mole will demonstrate the
fact that the animal appeases its
hunger by devouring quantity Of
larvae equal to half its own weight,
and that in consequence it must de.
stroy an immense number of these
enemies of agriculture and thus ac-
complish hundred times more work
In that direction Than we could possi-
bly, perform. Nogt says he knows
no other effectual means of success
fully combating the white worm than
by the protection and multiplication
of the mole.