FIELD AND FOREST. 1 39 



gether, with insertions some distance apart. They undoubtedly are 

 the cause of the more extended range of motion which the anterior 

 parts possess. By them the worm is enabled to lift aside the particles 

 of earth, and with its pointed proboscis to pry into the soil. The 

 short, broad muscles upon the internal dorsal surface, especially the 

 fourth and fifth rings, are probable inserted upon the oesophagus, al- 

 though the points of insertion I have not made out clearly. 



To sum up, then — and the reader will doubtless be glad to sum up 

 and have done with muscles — each abdominal segment (I have not 

 been able to accurately count those in the anterior rings,) contains one 

 circular, four, perhaps five, longitudinal muscles, four long and two 

 transverse setigerous, and one longitudinal between the apertures in 

 the dorsal median line. The spiral affair that Goldsmith speaks of 

 would make one more. And just here an interesting fact is to be 

 noted : the earthworm's muscular fibres are unstriated. To give up 

 the conviction that all voluntary muscle ought to be striated is like 

 parting with a cherished book from one's hard-earned library, or an 

 article from one's creed ! 



We have been on a long journey. We have wandered far through 

 fields where muscular fibres have grown thick, where the bloom and 

 the perfume of the daises and the lillies have been conspicious by 

 their absence. The way has been dusty and dry. The path has led 

 us in a circle and brought us to face the still unanswered question 

 as to how the earthworm walks. 



I have watched the process with much interest. It is done in a suffi- 

 ciently curious way. Before taking the first step the worm draws itself 

 together, becoming shorter and thicker. The circular fibres of the 

 anterior segments, the first inch perhaps, then contract and shoot for- 

 ward that much of the body. The longitudinal bristle-bearing muscles 

 force the setae outward against the earth, the circular fibres probably 

 assisting to keep them pressed steadily against the resisting medium. 

 The long muscles at once contract as the circular begin to relax, the 

 setae hold the space gained, and act as levers upon which the body 

 is pushed forward. While the anterior rings are advancing, the annu- 

 lar muscles of the second collection of segments are extending them, and 

 the setae are being prepared for their important share in the work. The 

 worm thus moves onward in instalments, each inch or more being pushed 



