Anatomy of the European Mole

However, nothing in the skeleton of the mole is more wonderful than the unclosed pelvis, which is so narrow that it only allows passage for the psoas muscles, blood vessels, and nerves, while the genitals and the rectum make their way between the pubic bones and the common integuments. From this it appears that the formative force, which in other mammals forms a pelvis deep enough to receive the intestines so that it may be a fulcrum for them, has nevertheless formed a complete pelvis in the mole, as if following a certain habit, even where those fulcrums are not necessary. Those fulcrums are not as necessary in the mole as in other mammals, since it drags its belly along the softer ground, and has a hard skin which cannot be easily injured.

1) Suidas. See "more blind than a mole": for it has feet like a bear, etc.