280 OBSERVATIONS ON 



when there is no frost ; they travel about 

 in rainy nights, as appears from their sinu- 

 ous 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 extended, they seem to be con- 

 tent 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 indi- 

 vidual is an hermaphrodite, there is no dif- 

 ficulty in meeting with a mate, as would 

 be the case were they of different sexes. 



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