THE ZOOLOGIST 



No. 670.— April, 1897. 



THE DORSAL PORES OF EARTHWORMS. 

 By the Rev. Hilderic Friend, 



Author of ' Flowers and Flower-Lore.' 



If a specimen of the Common Earthworm is examined, 

 especially after having been preserved for a time in spirits, it will 

 be found that a number of pores exist on the back. They are 

 most readily seen on the girdle as a rule, and look exactly like 

 the holes which result from the puncture of a pin or needle. 

 These openings have been known for a considerable time as the 

 dorsal pores, a name which serves not only to define their 

 position, but also to differentiate them from the other openings 

 which exist on various portions of the worm's body, such as the 

 male or spermiducal pores, the nephridiopores, and the puberty 

 pores (tubercula pubertatis). 



It is now many years since these apertures were originally 

 detected. Who first observed them it is impossible to say. 

 Equally difficult would it be to decide who was the first to notice 

 their presence in describing the animals. In 1727 Dr. Derham, 

 Canon of Windsor, wrote a very interesting work entitled 

 1 Physico-Theology,' in which he endeavours to demonstrate 

 "the being and attributes of God from his works of Creation." 

 He says that under the skin of worms " there lies a slimy juice, 

 that they emit, as occasion is, at certain perforations between the 

 annuli, to lubricate the body, and facilitate their passage into the 

 earth." A little later, however, he shows that a certain Dr. 



Zool. 4th ser. vol. J., Ajpril^ m 1897. m 



