1 88 1.] worms. 217 



the effects produced by earthworms on the old concrete-floors, 

 walls, &c. On his return he wrote to Sir Thomas Farrer : — 



" I cannot remember a more delightful week than the last. 

 I know very well that E. will not believe me, but the worms 

 were by no means the sole charm." 



In the autumn of 1880, when the 'Power of Movements in 

 Plants ' was nearly finished, he began once more on the 

 subject. He wrote to Professor Carus (September 21) : — 



" In the intervals of correcting the press, I am writing a 

 very little book, and have done nearly half of it. Its title 

 will be (as at present designed), ' The Formation of Vegetable 

 Mould through the Action of Worms.' * As far as I can judge 

 it will be a curious little book." 



The manuscript was sent to the printers in April, 1881,, 

 and when the proof-sheets were coming in he wrote to Pro- 

 fessor Carus : "The subject has been to me a hobby-horse, and 

 I have perhaps treated it in foolish detail." 



It was published on October 10, and 2000 copies were sold 

 at once. He wrote to Sir J. D. Hooker, " I am glad that 

 you approve of the 'Worms.' When in old days I was to 

 tell you whatever I was doing, if you were at all interested, I 

 always felt as most men do when their work is finally pub- 

 lished." 



To Mr. Mellard Reade he wrote (November 8) : " It has 

 been a complete surprise to me how many persons have cared 

 for the subject." And to Mr. Dyer (in November) : " My 

 book has been received with almost laughable enthusiasm,, 

 and 3500 copies have been sold! ! !" Again, to his friend 

 Mr. Anthony Rich, he wrote on February 4, 1882, "I have 

 been plagued with an endless stream of letters on the sub- 

 ject ; most of them very foolish and enthusiastic ; but some 

 containing good facts which I have used in correcting 

 yesterday the ' Sixth Thousand.' " The popularity of the 



* The full title is 'The Forma- the Action of Worms, with Observa- 

 tion of Vegetable Mould through tions on their Habits/ 188 1. 



