[page] 175

Mr. Charles Darwin's most recent book treats of the formation of vegetable mould through the action of worms. "We have seen," he says, discussing their mental qualities, "that worms are timid. It may be doubted whether they suffer as much pain when injured as they seem to express by their contortions. Judging by their eagerness for certain kinds of food, they must enjoy the pleasure of eating. Their sexual passion is strong enough to overcome for a time their dread of light. They perhaps have a trace of social feeling, for they are not disturbed by crawling over each other's bodies." The intelligence of worms has been made the subject of prolonged and profound study by Mr. Darwin. The great philosopher has occupied whole days and nights in observing "mere worms," which to non-naturalists are regarded as supremely unimportant.