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The last result and production of the observations and pen of the veteran English naturalist─Charles Darwin─is here. "The Formation of Vegetable Mould through the Action of Earth-Worms, with Observations on their Habits."

The chapter headings are─habits of worms; the amount of fine earth brought up by worms to the surface; the part which worms have played in the burial of ancient buildings; the action of worms in the denudation of the land; and a concluding chapter. He shows that worms have played a more important part in the history of the world than most persons would at first suppose; in many parts of England a weight of more than ten tons of dry earth annually passes through their bodies to the surface on each acre of land. He pleads that archæologists ought to be grateful to worms, as they protect much which otherwise would be lost; while, as a per contra, he admits that the undermining operations of the worms sometimes leads to the injury of old tesselated pavements, old walls, and monoliths.

They prepare the ground for fibrous rooted plants and seedlings, and in other ways render service; indeed, he says, "It may be doubted whether there are many other animals which have played so important a part in the history of the world, as have these lowly organised creatures." This volume is not unworthy of its author.