THE LADIES’ MAGAZINE OF GARDENING. 
179 
bristles, placed in pairs, and so small as scarcely to be visible without a 
magnifying glass, but which are of the greatest service to the worm in aid¬ 
ing its motion. Worms are very sensitive to heat and cold, and they avoid 
the extremes of both by burrowing three or four feet deep in the ground. 
They enjoy moisture, and come to the surface in great numbers when it 
rains. 
The worms swallow the earth which they remove in making their 
burrows, and they are supposed to live on the decayed organic remains 
mixed with it, rejecting the earth itself, which they throw up on the 
surface in what are called worm-casts; the smooth round form of which 
shows the shape the earth took in the worm’s body. Some suppose that 
the leaves, bits of grass, and other similar objects which 
the worms draw into the holes with them are for the 
sake of food; but others think they have merely 
adhered to the slime, and being dragged by the worm 
along the surface of the ground, were left behind when 
the creature entered its hole. The earth-worm lays 
eggs (fig- 55, a), which are so transparent that the 
young worm can be seen in them ( b ). When they are hatched, the 
young worm (c) slowly uncoils itself. Sometimes the young are produced 
alive, without being enclosed in eggs. 
Fig. 55. 
REVIEWS. 
The Botanical Magazine for May contains— 
Crocus annulatus , var. Adamicus (t. 3868). A pretty variety of Crocus 
annulatus, sent to Mr. Herbert by Monsieur Gay, of Paris, so well known 
for the great care and attention he has bestowed on the genus Crocus. 
Crocus lagencefiorus , var. lacteus lutescens (t. 3869). A pale-yellow 
variety of the Gourd Crocus. 
Hcemanthus tenuiflorus , var. Mozambicensis (t. 3870). A very beau¬ 
tiful variety of Hsemanthus, possessing, what is so rarely found in the 
genus, elegance and beauty. It is a stove plant, and should be grown 
in pounded brick rubbish, mixed with a little light loam, keeping the 
round bulb above the ground. 
Bomarea acutifolia , var. punctata (t. 3871). A native of the Caraccas ; 
introduced in 1838. The genus has been divided from Alstrcemeria. 
Sprekelia cybister (t. 3872). A very curious plant, nearly allied to the 
Jacobean lily, a variety of which was figured last year in the Bot. Reg. 
