[ 53* 3 



THE EARTH-WORMS. 



The Earth-worms have a round annulated body., 

 with generally an elevated fleshy belt near the head. 

 Most of the species are rough, with minute concealed 

 prickles placed longitudinally, and have in the body 

 a lateral aperture or pore. 



THE DEW-WORM*. 



The most insignificant insects and reptiles are of 

 much more consequence, and have much more in- 

 fluence 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. 

 Dew-worms, though in appearance a small and de- 

 spicable link in the chain of nature, yet, if lost, might 

 make a lamentable chasm. Fof, to say nothing of 

 half the birds and some quadrupeds that are sup- 

 ported by them, worms seem to be the great pro- 

 moters of vegetation, which would proceed but ill 

 without them, by boring, perforating, and loosening 

 the soil, and rendering it pervious to rains and the 

 fibresof plants, by drawing straws and stalks of leaves 

 and twigs into it : and, most of all, by throwing up 

 such infinite numbers of lumps called worm-casts, 

 which form a fine manure for grain and grass.-— 

 Worms probably provide new soil for hills and 



* Synonyms.— Livmbricus terrestris. Linn,-— Lob -worm, Garden- 

 worm, or Twatchel , 



