24 ANIMAL INTELLIGENCE. 
Annelida . 
Mr. Darwin has now in the press a highly interesting 
work on the habits of earth-worms. It appears from his 
observations that the manner in which these animals draw 
down leaves, &c., into their burrows is strongly indicative 
of instinctive action, if not of intelligent purpose — seeing 
that they always lay hold of the part of the leaf (even 
though an exotic one) by the traction of which the leaf 
will offer least resistance to being drawn down. But as 
this work will so shortly be published, I shall not forestall 
any of the facts which it has to state, nor should I yet 
like to venture an opinion as to how far these facts, when 
considered altogether, would justify any inference to a 
truly mental element as existing in these animals. 
Of the land leeches in Ceylon, Sir E. Tennent gives 
an account which likewise seems to bespeak intelligence 
as occurring in annelids. He says : — 
In moving, the land leeches have the power of planting one 
extremity on the earth and raising the other perpendicularly to 
watch for their victim. Such is their vigilance and instinct, 
that on the approach of a passer-by to a spot which they infest, 
they may be seen amongst the grass and fallen leaves on the 
edge of a native path, poised erect, and preparing for their 
attack on man and horse. On descrying their prey the} 7 ad- 
vance rapidly by semicircular strides, fixing one end firmly and 
arching the other forwards, till by successive advances they can 
lay hold of the traveller’s foot, when they disengage themselves 
from the ground and ascend his dress in search of an aperture 
to enter. In these encounters the individuals in the rear of a 
party of travellers in the jungle invariably fare worst, as the 
leeches, once warned of their approach, congregate with sim 
gular celerity . 1 
* Natural History of Ceylon , p. 481. 
