112 HABITS OF WORMS. CHAP. II. 



burrow to a considerable depth during long- 

 continued dry weather and severe cold. In 

 Scandinavia, according to Eisen, and in Scot- 

 land, according to Mr. Lindsay Carnagie, the 

 burrows run down to a depth of from 7 to 8 

 feet ; in North Germany, according to Hoff- 

 meister, from 6 to 8 feet, but Hensen says, 

 from 3 to 6 feet. This latter observer has seen 

 worms frozen at a depth of 1^ feet beneath 

 the surface. I have not myself had many 

 opportunities for observation, but I have often 

 met with worms at depths of 3 to 4 feet. 

 In a bed of fine sand overlying the chalk, 

 which had never been disturbed, a worm was 

 cut into two at 55 inches, and another was 

 found here at Down in December at the bottom 

 of its burrow, at 61 inches beneath the surface. 

 Lastly, in earth near an old Roman Villa, 

 which had not been disturbed for many centu- 

 ries, a worm was met with at a depth of 66 

 inches ; and this was in the middle of August. 

 The burrows run down perpendicularly, or 

 more commonly a little obliquely. They are 

 said sometimes to branch, but as far as I have 

 seen this does not occur, except in recently 

 dug ground and near the surface. They are 



