230 



VERMES. 



numerous, but they are most abundant in the sea and 

 in fresh waters. Many of the animals which look like 

 Worms are Butterflies or Moths, in the 

 larva state, and are caterpillars instead 

 of Worms. Such are the " Tobacco 

 Worm " and " Tom.ato W^orm." One 

 of the most common kinds of Sea- 

 worm is the Serpula, which lives in 

 tubes that are found incrusting stones 

 and other bodies. The breathing or- 

 gans are in tufts near the head, and 

 there is a little round body, shown in 

 the cut, which serves to shut the ani- 

 mal in when it withdraws itself into 

 the tube. 



The Earthworm, common in rich soils, is well known 

 to all boys, and is used as good bait for trout and 

 other fishes. It feeds upon the tender roots of plants 

 and also on their leaves. It may swallow earth for the 

 sake of the minute animals and plants in it. In spite 



Fig. 456. — Serpula. 



Fig. 457. — Earthworm. 



of the absence of legs, jaws or other hard parts, which 

 can be employed in digging, the worm is able to drive 

 long burrows even in firm soil. As every boy knows, 

 it can fasten itself firmly into its burrow by shortening 

 and so thickening that part of the body which is in 

 the burrow. In tunneling, the same means is used to 

 prevent the worm from slipping backward while the 

 forward end of the body is forced into the unpierced 



