DIURNAL ACTIVITY OF THE EARTHWORM 



FRANCIS MARSH BALDWIN 



University of Illinois 



This note 1 records a series of observations made to determine 

 whether the earthworm gives evidence of fixed periods of activity 

 and of quiescence. Under the conditions of our observations, 

 activity included (1) crawling movements either in or out of 

 the artificial burrow, (2) feeding and the acquisition of food, 

 and (3) the ejection of waste products from the body. Local 

 contraction of segments was not regarded. 



Apparatus. — Two parallel glass plates (12 in. x 20 in.), set 3-8 

 in. apart, were mounted in an upright position on a base 

 15 in. square covered at the lateral edges and filled in with 



1 A summary of work done some time ago in the biological laboratory of Clark 

 University, under the guidance of Professor C. F. Hodge. So far as the writer is 

 aware, the work has not since been duplicated with this form. The author's thanks 

 are due to Professor Bentley for suggestions in the preparation of the summary. 



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