WORMS. 



XXXV. 



LANDS that are subject to frequent inundations 

 are always poor ; and, probably, the reason may 

 be because the worms are drowned. The most 

 insignificant insects and reptiles are of much more 

 consequence, and have much more influence in 

 the economy of Nature, than the incurious are 

 aware of; and are mighty in their effect, from 

 their minuteness, which renders them less an 

 object of attention ; and from their numbers and 

 fecundity. Earth-worms, though in appearance a 

 small and despicable link in the chain of Nature, 

 yet, if lost, would make a lamentable chasm. 

 For to say nothing of half the birds, and some 

 quadrupeds, which are almost entirely supported 

 by them, worms seem to be great promoters of 

 vegetation, which would proceed but lamely with- 

 out them, by boring, perforating, and loosening 

 the soil, and rendering it pervious to rains and 

 the fibres of plants, by drawing straws and stalks 

 of leaves and twigs into it ; and, most of all, by 

 throwing up such infinite numbers of lumps 

 of earth called worm-casts, which, being their 



affection as if they were her own offspring. This cir- 

 cumstance corroborates my suspicion, that the mention of 

 exposed and deserted children, being nurtured by female 

 beasts of prey who had lost their young, may not be so 

 improbable an incident as many have supposed ; and 

 therefore may be a justification of those authors who have 

 gravely mentioned what some have deemed to be a wild 

 and improbable story. So many people went to see the 

 little squirrels suckled by a cat, that the foster-mother 

 became jealous of her charge, and in pain for their safety, 

 and therefore hid them over the ceiling, where one died. 

 This circumstance shows her affection for these foundlings, 

 and that she supposed the squirrels to be her own young." 

 W. J. 



