CHAPTER VI. 

 ANNULATA. 



FIELD STUDY OF EARTHWORMS. 



1. In what kind of places does the fisherman dig for earth- 

 )rms? 



2. Are they more abundant in one kind of soil than another? 



3. Look for the coiled excrement, or " castings," at the mouths 

 of the holes. How many holes can you find in any square yard? 

 Find the number in several square yards at different places in a 

 rich meadow or pasture, and compute the number in an acre. 



4. Do you find earthworms during the daytime ? If so, in what 

 conditions? Hunt for them at night with a lantern. Are they far 

 from their burrows? Do they appear frightened? Do they re- 

 treat into their burrows? 



5. If a worm is found partly extended from its burrow, seize 

 and try to pull it out. Is it easy to do so ? Why not ? 



6. Carefully dig up a number of earthworms. How deep is the 

 burrow ? And what is its course ? In what part of the burrow is 

 the earthworm? Does the depth at which the earthworm rests 

 depend on the time of day? The condition of the soil? The 

 weather? Is the worm always the same end up? Is the hole 

 much wider than the worm ? Could it turn around in the hole ? 



7. Do earthworms ever plug up the mouths of their burrows? 

 If so, when and with what material ? How is this work done ? 



8. Do you find evidence of what earthworms eat? Do they 

 eat their food outside or in their burrows? Do they store food? 

 Do they spend much or little time eating ? 



9. Having quietly approached an earthworm that is out, or 

 partly out, of its burrow, suddenly make a loud noise. Does it 



47 



