16 



NATURAL HISTORY 



coleoptera (scarabs), and tipulce (long-legs)^ 

 in their larva, or grub-state ; and by un- 

 noticed myriads of small shell-less snails^ 

 called slugs, which silently and imper- 

 ceptibly make amazing havock in the field 

 and garden.* 



These hints we think propef to throw 

 out in order to set the inquisitive and 

 discerning to work. 



A good monography of worms would af- 

 ford much entertainment and information 

 at the same time, and would open a lai*ge 

 and new field in natural history. Worms 

 work most in the Spring ; but by no means 

 lie torpid in the dead months ; are out every 

 mild night in the Winter, as any person may 

 be convinced that will take the pains to 

 examine his grass-plots with a candle ; afe 

 hermaphrodites, and much addicted to ^ 

 venery, and consequently vefy ptolific. 



I am, &c. 



* Fanner Young, of Norton-farmj says that this 

 Spring (1777) about four acres of his wheat in one field 

 was entirely destroyed by slugs, which swarmed on the 

 blades of corn, and devoured it as fast as it sprang. 



