448 



MY GARDi. 



When worms get into pots the plants are damaged, and to prevent 

 this the gardener stands his plants on ashes or on boards. The Earth 



or Lob Worm (fig. 993) is 

 about eight inches in length, 

 is hermaphrodite (Nos. 2 

 and 3), and lays eggs (Nos. 

 4 and S). At night, after 

 a fall of rain, it comes to the 

 surface, but leaves the end of 



Fig. 993.— Earth or Lob Worm. its tail in itS holc, and On 



the slightest noise rapidly withdraws. If a grassplot is examined at 

 night, by the aid of a lantern, when the worms have come out, it is a 

 remarkable sight, as the grass is covered with them. By the action 

 of this creature so much earth is said to be brought to the surface of 

 the ground as completely to cover chalk laid upon it, after a few 

 years. Nevertheless, I rather doubt the explanation. 



The Red Worm {Lumbricus minor) is also found in wet ground 

 under stones. It is from two to three inches in length, and fish are 

 particularly fond of it. We have also the Green Worm {Lumbricus 

 viridis), which is discarded by the angler, and which lives under stones. 



In my garden there is great abundance of the Brandling {Lumbricus 

 fcetidus). It is marked alternately red and yellow ; it lives in manure 

 heaps, and has an unpleasant odour, which clings to the hands after 

 touching it. It is a favourite bait for perch. 



LEECHES. 



We have Leeches in our lake. I have not determined the species, 

 but one kind is possibly the Hirudo piscium. 



FRESH-WATER SPONGE. 



We have one fine species of Fresh-water Sponge, which grows upon 

 the wall near the flood-gates, and also on the walls of the mill ; it is 



