FIELD AND FOREST. I05 



one on upper side, none over two. In the definition of Celtis in 

 Butterflies of N. A., volume II, I included Antonia, thus, "in some 

 cases there is a second ocellus on the upper median interspace, in- 

 closing the lowest of the white spots, and rarely may be seen a third 

 upon the discoidal interspace, also inclosing a white spot," and "in 

 the cases where there is more than one ocellus on the upper side, there 

 is a corresponding number below," but I had not then seen examples 

 constantly showing two and three on upper side and three to five on 

 the lower. 



This species is found in Texas and Arizona. I have received seve- 

 ral examples from Messrs. Boll and Belfrage. Very likely it will be 

 taken in the States immediately north of Texas. 



Wm. H. Edwards. 



The Earthworm in Relation to the Fertiliy of the Ground. 



From observations extending over a number of years, M. Hensen 

 is led to the conclusion that infertile undersoil is rendered valuable 

 by the action of worms in two ways, viz ; by the opening of passages 

 for the roots into the deeper parts, and by the lining of these passages 

 with humus. This will be more fully understood from the following 

 facts regarding the life habits of the worm {Lumbriais terrestris) 

 given in Mr. Hensen's paper in the Zeitschrift fur wissenchaftliche 

 Zoologie. 



It is known that the adult animals in wet weather come up to the 

 surface by night, and, with their hinder end in their tube, search the 

 ground round about. They then draw whatever vegetable material 

 they can find into their tubes — 'fallen stems and leaves and small 

 branches. In the morning one then finds little heaps of plant-frag- 

 ments projecting at various parts of the surface, and each of them pen- 

 etrating the tube of a worm. On closer examination it is found that 

 the leaves have each been rolled together by the worm, and then 

 drawn into the -tube in such a way that the leaf stalk projects. The 

 portion of the leaf in the tube is moist and softened, and only in this 

 state are plants consumed by the worm. There are distinct indica- 

 tions that the worm gnaws them, and after some days the meal is 

 ended. The food is never drawn deeper down into the ground. In 



