464 OBSERVATIONS ON 



On the 2d of March, 1777, I saw great numbers of ants 

 come out of the ground. MAKKWICK. 



GLOW-WORMS. 



By observing two glow-worms which were brought from 

 the field to the bank in the garden, it appeared to us, that 

 these little creatures put out their lamps between eleven and 

 twelve, and shine no more for the rest of the night. 



Male glow-worms, attracted by the light of the candles, 

 come into the parlour. WHITE. 



EARTH-WORMS. 



Earth-worms make their casts most in mild weather about 

 March and April ; they do not lie torpid in winter, but come 

 forth when there is no frost ; they travel about in rainy nights, 

 as appears from their sinuous tracks on the soft muddy soil, 

 perhaps in search of food. 



When earth-worms lie out a-nights on the turf, though they 

 extend their bodies a great way, they do not quite leave their 

 holes, but keep the ends of their tails fixed therein, so that on 

 the least alarm they can retire with precipitation under the 

 earth. Whatever food falls within their reach when thus ex- 

 tended, they seem to be content with, such as blades of grass, 

 straws, fallen leaves, the ends of which they often draw into 

 their holes ; even in copulation their hinder parts never quit 

 their holes ; so that no two, except they lie within reach of 

 each other's bodies, can have any commerce of that kind ; but 

 as every individual is an hermaphrodite, there is no difficulty 

 in meeting with a mate, as would be the case were they of 

 different sexes. WHITE. 



