SOME REACTIONS AMONG ANIMALS 153 



Special Reports 



1. Economic importance of the earthworm. 



2. Economic importance of worms in general. 



3. Reactions of the earthworm. 



References 



Hunter, Essentials of Biology. Chap. XVII. 



Ayres, E. A., "Eyes and Vision from Worm to Man." Harper's 

 Magazine, September, 1908. 



Watson, J. B., "The New Science of Animal Behavior. 1 ' Harper's 

 Magazine, February, 1910. 



PROBLEM XXVIII 



<A. study of some animal associations. 

 a. Social Life (Optional) 1 



Note. Mutual aid and equal dependence is the basis of all social life 

 among animals. 



Observations. 1. What have you observed concerning the social 

 habits of birds, such as the English sparrow ? 



2. Do geese and ducks usually fly singly or in flocks ? 



3. What do you know about similar habits of the buffalo or wild cattle 

 and horses ? 



Conclusions. 1. If a flock of birds should be scattered, would the in- 

 dividual birds be likely to die ? Explain your answer. 



2. What do you imagine was the reason for the herding of such ani- 

 mals as the wild horse and the buffalo ? 



3. Do the individuals of these groups do special and different kinds of 

 work for the society, or are they all mutually and equally helpful ? 

 Explain. 



4. Show how social life is of advantage to the individuals of the group. 



b. Communal Life (Optional) 



Note. Animals of the same kind that cooperate form communities, 

 whenever the work they do for the community is of different sorts, or there 

 is division of labor. 



!The exercises under a, b, and c may well be made the basis for a trip to a 

 museum or a zoological park. 



