16 NATURAL HISTORY 



leoptera (scarabs), and tipula, (long-legs) 

 in their larva, or grub-state; and by unno- 

 ticed myriads of small shell-less snails, 

 called slugs, which silently and impercep- 

 ibly make amazing havock in the field and 

 garden.* 



These hints we think proper to throw 

 out in order to set the inquisitive and dis- 

 cerning to work. 



A good monography of worms would af- 

 ford much entertainment and information 

 at the same time, and would open a large 

 and new field in natural history. Worms 

 work most in the Spring ; but by no means 

 lie torpid in the dead months; are out every 

 mild night in the Winter, as any person may 

 be convinced that will take the pains to 

 examine his grass-plots with a candle ; are 

 hermaphrodites, and much addicted to 

 venery, and consequently very prolific. 



I am, &c. 



* Farmer Young, of Norton-farm^ says that this 

 Spring (1777) about four acres of his wheat in one 

 field was entirely destroyed by slugs, which swarmed on 

 the blades of corn, and devoured it as fast as it sprang. 



