another. And after what has been faid, it may be known how many males, females and young ones there are in it. From these peculiarities in the mode of life of the mole, may be eafily deduced the following effectual modes of catching and deftroying them. Manner of operating. TAKE a turn in the morning round the garden or meadow where you wish to deftroy the moles; they are then at work. The mole-hills newly made are proofs of it. First Cafe. IF you happen to be near a mole-hill in the inftant that the mole throws up the earth, then use the method known by all gardeners: with a great blow with a fpade raise up the mole-hill and the mole, obferving to give the blow on the fide from which she came, that is to fay, on the fide of the mole-hills that he had made, before she began to the one she is working at. By this means, the tract is cut before the animal perceives the blow, which prevents it from being able to escape. But however frefh the mole-hill be, if you are not there pofitively in the inftant when the mole works, do not lose your time in waiting; employ immediately the other means, which are to be fhewn. Second Cafe. IF you meet with a mole-hill which is fresh and detached, whofe fituation fhews that it has no communication with others, which happens when the mole has entered from above, in order to form for itfelf a more commodious habitation than the one it has been obliged to quit, then take away the mole-hill with a fpade, and pour a bottle of water into the mouth of the tract. The mole, which cannot be very far off, will rife up to avoid being drowned; and while it is coming out of the hole, you may take it with your hand. You may afcertain whether there is any communica tion from a mole-hill to the neighbouring ones, by ap plying the ear near the tract, and coughing at the fame time: If in fact there is no communication, the mole being frightened, will be discovered by its agitation. Then you cannot miss it, either by pouring in water as I have mentioned, or by digging with the fpade till you find it: The mole never goes deeper then fifteen or eigh teen inches. Third Cafe. I often happens during the fummer, in gardens, that when a bed has been newly watered, the mole attracted by the freshness comes there to enter into it; then the forms a tract so near the surface, that you fee her in a manner paffing it, being scarcely covered with an inch of earth. In this cafe it is very eafy to catch it: While you fee it work at the mole-hill, you put your foot upon the tract to shut the paffage; you then take away the mole-hill, and you find the mole Fourth Cafe the most common. Whilft you fee a mole pufh at a mole-hill, and whilft you perceive by the earth newly thrown up, that the is at work, you make with a spade an opening about fifteen or eighteen inches long at the place of the track which communicates from that mole-hill to the neighbouring one; call the first mole-hill A, and the fecond D. The mole track being thus laid open, close both ends of the hole with fome earth pushed firmly into it. Make then another opening of the fame fort at a small distance from it, with the fame precautions. The mole, alarmed by the noife of thefe operations, never fails to come fome moments afterwards to endeavour to repair the damage her work has fuftained. When the arrives at one of thefe openings made with the fpade, she does not continue her route across the opening, because she naturally dislikes to be uncovered, but not being willing to abandon her old track, fhe endeavours to join it by making a fresh track below the former; fhe therefore raises a long kind of a mole-hill in the bottom of the trench, by means of which it is easy to difcover from which of the two mole-hills fhe has come; and by making an opening between her and that molehill, you effectually cut off her retreat, and are sure to take her. But while you are digging to catch her, the mole endeavours to escape, by penetrating the earth perpendicularly as far as the can. When you reach this hole, it is unneceffary to dig after her. By pouring fome water into the hole, fhe will immediately come to the furface, where she can be taken without difficulty. Fifth Cafe. Three or more mole-hills are fometimes fo connected by mole tracks, as that the mole can go round the whole without interruption, which requires a fomewhat different management. Make several openings like thofe already defcribed, by which the mole track between two of the hills is laid open, and fet yourself to watch. The mole will very foon fhew herself at one place or other, and will attempt, as usual, to open a communication to the former track by making a new rut below the former. Her progress in this operation can be eafily observed by the motion of the earth. Suffer her to get forward ten or twelve inches; then suddenly close the new made rut behind her, either with your foot, or the handle of a spade put across it, or any other fuch implement; by which means he cannot retreat; and may be caft up with the spade at the first stroke ; or the be taken by the hand, by merely scraping off the loofe earth that is above her. may |