THE WORM. 407 



the lever when the other is depressed : the sensitive 

 plant contracts and hangs its leaves when touched; 

 but this motion neither contributes to its safety or de- 

 fence; the fly-trap flower acts upon the same principle; 

 and though it closes its leaves upon the invader, does 

 not prevent its escape : but it is different with insects 

 even of the lowest order ; the earth-worm contracts 

 itself, and darts into its hole the moment it discovers 

 that it is pursued; the polypus hides its horns; and 

 the star-fiVh contracts its arms, even upon the most 

 distant appearance of danger; and each is sagacious 

 enough to supply itself with food. s 



of won MS. 



The first class of zoophytes are animals of the worm- 

 kind, which, being totally destitute of feet, trail their 

 bodies along the earth, and form their dwellings in its 

 womb. Though worms, as well as serpents, are' ge- 

 nerally without feet, yet their motions are very differ- 

 ently made : the serpent, as has been observed, having 

 a back-bone, which it is incapable of contracting, 

 bends its body in the form of a bow, and then shoots 

 forward from its tail; but the earth-worm is capable 

 both of dilation and contraction; and the whole body 

 is a continuation of rings and joints. 



Under the skin there is a slimy liquid which the 

 reptile ejects when it is required, and which facilitates 

 its passage through the earth : it has breathing-holes 

 which run along the back ; but it has neither bones, 

 eyes, ears, or brain ; and the heart is placed close to 

 the head. 



Though these disgusting reptiles are produced from 

 eggs, yet each is separately calculated to increase the 

 tribe ; and many experiments have been made by dis- 



dd4 



