Introduction.-MAN as a Burrower.-The MOLE and its Dwelling.-Difficulty of
observing its Habits. Complicated structure of its Fortress, and its Uses.-
Character of the Mole.-Adaptation of its Form to its mode of Life.-Common
Objects.-The SHREW MOLE, ELEPHANT SHREW, and MUSK RAT.-The ARCTIC
Fox. Structure of its Limbs.-Form of its Burrow.-Its Character, Fur, and
Flesh.-The common Fox.-Mode of Burrowing and economy of Labor.-The
young Family.-The WEASEL, and some of its Habits.-The BADGER and its
Burrow. The PRAIRIE DOG, or WISH-TON-WISH.-Dog-towns. - Unpleasant
Intruders.-The RABBIT, and the Warren.-Self-sacrifice.-Study of animal Life.
-The CHIPPING SQUIRREL.-Curious form of its Dwelling.-Its subterranean
Treasures. The WOODCHUCK, the POUCHED RAT, the CAMAS RAT, the MOLE
RAT, and the SAND MOLE.-The WHITE BEAR.-Its curious Dwelling.-Snow as
a Shelter.-The PICHICIAGO.-Its Form, Armor, and Burrow.-The ARMADILLOS
and their Habits.-The MANIS.-The AARD VARK, its Food and Dwelling.-
The MALLANGONG.-Its strange Habits and its Burrow.-The PORCUPINE ANT-
EATER.-Its burrowing Powers.
AT some period of their existence, many of the higher animals require a Home, either as a shelter from the weather, or a defense against their enemies. Of all forms of habitation, the simplest is a burrow, whether beneath the surface of the ground, or into stone, wood, or any other substance.
The lowest grades of human beings are found to adopt this easy and simple substitute for a home, and the Bosjesman of the Cape, and the "Digger" Indian of America, alike resort to so obvious an expedient. If the country be craggy and mountainous, a casual cleft or hollow affords a habitation exactly suited to a race of mankind who have never undergone any training in industry, who never exert themselves until forced to do so by some imperative demand of nature, and who reduce such exertion to the minimum of labor which some present emergency requires.