The skill shown by these worms is
noteworthy and is the more remarkable, as the Scotch pine is not a
native of this district.
After having examined these burrows made by worms in confinement, I
looked at those in a flower-bed near some Scotch pines. These had
all been plugged up in the ordinary manner with the leaves of this
tree, drawn in for a length of from 1 to 1.5 inch; but the mouths
of many of them were likewise lined with them, mingled with
fragments of other kinds of leaves, drawn in to a depth of 4 or 5
inches. Worms often remain, as formerly stated, for a long time
close to the mouths of their burrows, apparently for warmth; and
the basket-like structures formed of leaves would keep their bodies
from coming into close contact with the cold damp earth. That they
habitually rested on the pine-leaves, was rendered probable by
their clean and almost polished surfaces.
The burrows which run far down into the ground, generally, or at
least often, terminate in a little enlargement or chamber. Here,
according to Hoffmeister, one or several worms pass the winter
rolled up into a ball. Mr. Lindsay Carnagie informed me (1838)
that he had examined many burrows over a stone-quarry in Scotland,
where the overlying boulder-clay and mould had recently been
cleared away, and a little vertical cliff thus left.
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