24 HUMBLE CUEATURES. 



cance; and although the traces of the Annelide in 

 the geological formations of past ages are but slight, 

 yet it is believed by reflecting observers that the 

 little creature has (as in the case of the polyp just 

 referred to) pursued its labours from a very early 

 period in the earth's history. 



But be that as it may ; suppose its operations have 

 only been confined to the deposition of a portion of 

 the existing mould, a circumstance which we believe 

 to be placed beyond a doubt ; stiU our assertion holds 

 good, that its history affords a striking exemplifica- 

 tion of the divine truth, that no creature has been 

 formed without its special ends, and that the humblest 

 are frequently selected to carry out the most gigantic 

 natural operations. And again, what can be more 

 obvious, than that the Earthworm, by aiding in the 

 accumulation and fertilization of the surface-soil on 

 pasture-lands, is the indirect means of supplying us 

 with many of our most valuable comforts and luxuries ; 

 that the verdant meadows which clothe the surface of 

 the earth in a robe of evergreen, and afford nourish- 

 ment to the herds of cattle that have been bestowed 

 upon man as his birthright, are rendered still more 

 verdant and fruitful by its untiring labours ? There 

 it toils away, unconscious of its great mission, again 

 and again penetrating the earth, and each time, when 

 it returns to the surface, bringing up with it a small 

 portion from below to aid in the restoration of the 

 exhausted soil, and multiply the comforts of the 

 human race. 



