HUMBLE CREATURES. 



LETTER II. 



THE CLASS VERMES AND ITS SUBDIVISION INTO OHDEES. — 

 LUMBHICUS TEHIIESTIIIS, THE COMMON EAETHWOEM. — ITS 

 EOEM. — MEMBEES OF LOCOMOTION. — MOUTH. — ALIMENT. — 

 NATURE OP WOEM-CASTINGS. — DIGESTIVE OEGANS. — CIECU- 

 LATING APPAEATUS. — NEEVOUS SYSTEM. 



Eew persons have a correct idea of the extent of that 

 group of animals known as the " Vermes" or Worms. 



Many, whose acquaintance with zoology is very 

 limited, believe the use of the term to be restricted 

 to the Earthworm, and intestinal worms, such as the 

 Tapeworm, and the Ascarides, or small round worm 

 of infants; others again, although aware that these 

 creatures do not alone constitute the class, know 

 little of the remaiaiug forms which it contains. Lei 

 us therefore, whilst treating of this portion of the 

 subject, endeavour to form some general idea of the 

 whole class, and inquire what are its distinguishing 

 characteristics. 



The "Vermes," which occupy a distinct position 

 in the Animal Kingdom, have soft elongated bodies, 

 possessing neither an internal skeleton, as we find 

 in the vertebrated animals, nor (as a general rule) 



