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THE FORMATION OF VEGETABLE MOULD THROUGH THE ACTION OF WORMS. By Charles Darwin, F.R.S.

To the agricultural reader this work of Mr. Darwin's will have a decided interest, as bearing upon the theory of soil formation, and the comparative values of various soils for agricultural purposes. The author's theory, is, in brief, that for the formation of what we call "vegetable mould" we are principally indebted to the labors of earthworms, through whose organizations he considers that all the vegetable mould in the world has passed, and will pass again many times, being thus fitted for the sustenance of plants, and the perpetuation of vegetable life. The theory will perhaps hardly meet with general acceptance, but it is presented in a very able manner, and many new and interesting facts are brought out in connection with its discussion.