230 PRESERVING WORMS. 



The early bird catches the worm, and so does the 

 early angler. By night they are sought after by 

 the light of a lantern. They .may be dug out of 

 moist mould, and out of the moist bottoms of 

 ditches. In dry weather their retreat is deep, and 

 you must dig deeply for them. If you place a 

 quantity of wet straw on the surface of the 

 ground, they will come out in a day or two. It is 

 said that water in which walnuts, or their green 

 shells, have been steeped, poured upon the ground, 

 will immediately bring the worms to the surface. 

 Digging for them, and getting them by night, by 

 means of a lantern, or early in the morning by 

 the light of one's own eyes, is the best and most 

 natural way. With respect to the preservation 

 of dew-worms Captain Williamson truly says, 

 "It is much the same as that of other worms, 

 namely, to be kept in moist moss, changed every 

 three or four days, and set by in unglazed earthern 

 pots, in a cool place during hot weather. That 

 kind of moss is best which is found on commons, 

 and which is crisp, and of a greenish white colour. 

 It cannot be too soft and elastic, but should be 

 carefully searched whilst washing, before it is put 

 to the worms, so that all thorns and rough sub- 

 stances may be removed, else the worms will not 

 thrive so well. Those who can supply a little 

 cream every day, to be mixed in or thrown 

 upon the surface of the moss-pans, will obtain a 



