116 HABITS OF WOKMS. Chap. II. 



as well as the seeds, are carried down from 

 the surface by being swallowed ; for a sur- 

 prising number of glass beads, bits of tile 

 and of glass were certainly thus carried down 

 by worms kept in pots ; but some may have 

 been carried down within their mouths. The 

 sole conjecture which I can form why worms 

 line their winter-quarters with little stones 

 and seeds, is to prevent their closely coiled-up 

 bodies from coming into close contact with 

 the surrounding cold soil ; and such contact 

 would perhaps interfere with their respiration 

 which is effected by the skin alone. 



A worm after swallowing earth, whether 

 for making its burrow or for food, soon comes 

 to the surface to empty its body. The ejected 

 earth is thoroughly mingled with the intestinal 

 secretions, and is thus rendered viscid. After 

 being dried it sets hard. I have watched 

 worms during the act of ejection, and when 

 the earth was in a very liquid state it was 

 ejected in little spurts, and when not so 

 liquid by a slow peristaltic movement. It is 

 not cast indifferently on any side, but with 

 some care, first on one and then on another 

 side ; the tail being used almost like a trowel. 



