THE DEW-WORM. £33 



elopes where the rain washes the earth away ; and 

 they affect slopes, probably to avoid being flooded. 



Gardeners and farmers express their detestation 

 of worms ; the former, because they render their 

 walks unsightly, and make them much work ; and 

 the latter, because they think worms eat their green 

 corn. But these men would find that the earth 

 without worms would soon become cold, hard- 

 bound, and void of fermentation ; and consequently 

 sterile; and besides, in favour of worms, it should be 

 hinted that green corn, plan.s, and flowers, are not 

 so much injured by them as by many species of in- 

 sects in their larva or grub state; and by unnoticed 

 myriads of those small shell less snails, called slugs, 

 which silently and imperceptibly make amazing 

 havoc in the field and garden. 



Lands that are subject to frequent inundations 

 are always poor : one great reason of this may pro- 

 bably be because all the worms are drowned. 



The Dew-worm is without bones, without brain, 

 eyes, and feet. It has a number of breathing-holes 

 along its back, adjoining to each ring. Near its 

 head is placed the heart, which may be observed to 

 beat with 3. very distinct motion. The body is 

 formed of small rings furnished with a set of muscles 

 that act in a spiral direction, and which enable it in 

 the most complete manner possible to penetrate into 

 or creep upon the earth. The motion of these crea- 

 tures may be explained by a wire wound on a cy- 

 linder; where, when pne end is drawn on and held 

 fast, the other, upon being loosed, will immediately 

 follow. These muscles enable them with great 

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