92 Descriptive Zoology. 



gress. Most animals move forward by pushing backward 

 on some more or less solid support ; the earthworm pulls, 

 rather than pushes, itself along. 



What the Earthworm Eats. Besides eating the soil, the 

 earthworm eats leaves, both fresh and decayed, decaying 



Circular muscle fibers. 



Longitudinal 

 muscle fibers. 



Kidney. 



Kidney 

 pore. 



Bristles. 



FIG. 60. CROSS SECTION OF EARTHWORM. 



wood, etc. The worms drag leaves into their holes, where 

 they are moistened by a secretion that prepares them for 

 digestion. Earthworms eat bits of meat that are left in 

 their way, and would seem to be almost omnivorous. 



The Digestive System of the Earthworm. The mouth is 

 a small crescent-shaped opening on the ventral surface of 

 the first segment. Overhanging the mouth is a small pro- 

 boscis. There are no teeth, nor anything corresponding to 



