CHAPTER XIV. 
THE EARTHWORM AND HIS WORK. 
The earthworm or'angleworm belongs to the sub¬ 
kingdom Vermes. It also belongs to the class Annu- 
lata, which includes the most highly organized and 
most intelligent animals belonging to this sub-kingdom. 
In studying it we must note how it differs from any or 
all of the Arthropoda, and discover if possible why 
naturalists have not classified it with this sub-kingdom. 
The earthworm may be easily observed alive by 
placing several individuals in a glass jar with loam and 
dead leaves, and occasionally feeding them with bits 
of meat or vegetables. 
Is the body bilateral ? 
Can you distinguish a head ? a head end ? a neck ? 
a dorsal and ventral surface ? 
Is the body anywhere flattened ? 
Are there any divisions in the body like those in the 
Arthropoda ? 
Are there any jointed appendages ? 
Do you find any eyes ? Is the worm sensitive to 
touch ? to light ? to strong odors ? to irritating fluids ? 
While the worm is feeding can you see any teeth ? 
Do you see something which looks like a proboscis ? 
Do you see the red blood-vessel near the dorsal sur¬ 
face ? 
Earthworms tanned by the use of chromic acid make 
good specimens for class use. They may be prepared 
as follows: Place the worms in dilute alcohol for three 
or four days and then transfer them to strong alcohol, 
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