On what could these worms have
subsisted during this whole time, if not on matter contained in the
black earth? On the other hand, whenever a large number of leaves
are drawn into the burrows, the worms seem to subsist chiefly on
them, for few earth-castings are then ejected on the surface. This
difference in the behaviour of worms at different times, perhaps
explains a statement by Claparede, namely, that triturated leaves
and earth are always found in distinct parts of their intestines.
Worms sometimes abound in places where they can rarely or never
obtain dead or living leaves; for instance, beneath the pavement in
well-swept courtyards, into which leaves are only occasionally
blown. My son Horace examined a house, one corner of which had
subsided; and he found here in the cellar, which was extremely
damp, many small worm-castings thrown up between the stones with
which the cellar was paved; and in this case it is improbable that
the worms could ever have obtained leaves. Mr. A. C. Horner
confirms this account, as he has seen castings in the cellars of
his house, which is an old one at Tonbridge.
But the best evidence, known to me, of worms subsisting for at
least considerable periods of time solely on the organic matter
contained in earth, is afforded by some facts communicated to me by
Dr.
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