70 PETER SCHMIDT 



its weight on 7 VIII 13h (cf. IV series) was caused by the loss of 

 its posterior segments after the first exsiccation (p. 10). Placed 

 in the desiccator on 12 VIII 19h, it was kept there until 14 VIII 

 19h (i.e., forty-eight hours) and its weight diminished on 0.4679 

 grams or 62.6 per cent of the weight of its body. At 19h 30' it 

 was placed on moistened filter-paper and at 22h some contrac- 

 tions and movements of the proximal end and of the tail were 

 observed. But on the next morning (15 VIII llh) it was found 

 dead. On the proximal end hemorrhage and swellings could be 

 seen. It is possible that the exsiccation had surpassed the limit 

 or had gone on too rapidly. 



This experiment is of course not sufficient for denying the 

 possibility of repeated revivification of earthworms. 



CONCLUSION 



All the mentioned experiments, which for lack of time I had 

 no possibility of finishing, prove, as I believe, that the phenom- 

 ena manifested in the exsiccation of earthworms are completely 

 analogous to the results of exsiccation of Tardigrada, Rotatoria, 

 and Nematodes, and with full right may be called 'anabiosis' 

 ('over-life'). 



Actually by the exsiccation the earthworms lose completely 

 their mobility, their size diminishes to one-half or one-third of 

 their length and volume and they show no manifestations of 

 life. In the dorsal vessel, sometimes well seen through the skin, 

 no contractions can be detected with a microscope. The seg- 

 ments of the body are also completely motionless. The exsic- 

 cated worm is dark brown, but must retain the elasticity of its 

 body and its skin must be soft if it is to revive. It has the ap- 

 pearance of a corpse or a muiTimy. In this state the worm can 

 retain the capacity for revivification for thirty-nine hours at 

 normal summer temperature (cf. worm no. 1 of the experiments 

 in series 1) and according to series V and VI, for 48 hours, and 

 perhaps more, at low temperature. It is possible, that at suit- 

 able low temperatures one can preserve the vitality of the exsic- 

 cated worms during a very long time. I shall undertake experi- 

 ments in this direction at the first opportunity. 



