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FIRST BOOK. 
end of its body, which it uses in swimming. It has also small 
" swimmerets under its body. 
Ha.bits. — Land-crabs live in boggy places, and in mountain 
crevices; but once a year they go down to the shore to let the 
water wash the eggs from their body. Crabs and lobsters are 
very fierce, and will even kill and eat each other. When a crab or 
a lobster outgrows its shell, it casts it ofi", and hides until a new 
shell forms. 
THE EAETHWOEM (p. 60). 
Description. — The earthworm has a long soft body, formed 
in rings. Each ring has eight stiff hairs on it, by which the worm 
draws itself along, or clings to the sides of its hole. An earthworm 
has a mouth; but it has neither teeth, tongue, eyes, feet, nor bones. 
Habits. — Earthworms swallow the mould of decayed plants, 
and find food in it. They also feed on the leaves and straws which 
they drag into their holes. 
LITTLE WOEKEES (p. 62). 
Ea.rthworms loosen the soil, and let in light and air, by 
making burrows through it. By their "casts" they bring fresh soil 
to the surface of the ground. Many of the leaves dragged down 
by them rot in the soil, and help to make fresh food for the plants. 
Ants also help to till the soil. These little insects dig hollow 
places, and in doing so they bring fresh earth to the air, and cause 
it to be well mixed. They destroy the wood of fallen trees, and so 
hasten their decay. They also carry into the ground pieces of 
plants, which in time become changed into good soil. 
THE SNAIL (p. 65). 
Description. — The snail is a soft-hodied animal, but its body 
is not "ringed". Snails are hatched from eggs. As the creature 
grows it makes its shell larger and larger by adding to the edge of 
it. A fold of loose soft skin, called the mantle, covers its body. 
The mantle gives out moisture, with lime in it; this lime hardens 
to form the shell. The flat under-part of the snail's body is called 
the foot. On the head are four " horns " or feelers, which can be 
