They are obviously voided by a distinct species of worms.
The period during which worms near Calcutta display such
extraordinary activity lasts for only a little over two months,
namely, during the cool season after the rains. At this time they
are generally found within about 10 inches beneath the surface.
During the hot season they burrow to a greater depth, and are then
found coiled up and apparently hybernating. Mr. Scott has never
seen them at a greater depth than 2.5 feet, but has heard of their
having been found at 4 feet. Within the forests, fresh castings
may be found even during the hot season. The worms in the Botanic
garden, during the cool and dry season, draw many leaves and little
sticks into the mouths of their burrows, like our English worms;
but they rarely act in this manner during the rainy season.
Mr. Scott saw worm-castings on the lofty mountains of Sikkim in
North India. In South India Dr. King found in one place, on the
plateau of the Nilgiris, at an elevation of 7000 feet, "a good many
castings," which are interesting for their great size. The worms
which eject them are seen only during the wet season, and are
reported to be from 12 to 15 inches in length, and as thick as a
man's little finger. These castings were collected by Dr.
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