RECORD: Darwin, C. R. 1872. [Earthworm research notes]. CUL-DAR63.111. (John van Wyhe ed., 2002-. The Complete Work of Charles Darwin Online, http://darwin-online.org.uk/)
REVISION HISTORY: Prepared and edited by John van Wyhe 7.2025. RN2
NOTE: See record in the Darwin Online manuscript catalogue, enter its Identifier here. Reproduced with permission of the Syndics of Cambridge University Library and William Huxley Darwin. The volumes CUL-DAR63, CUL-DAR64 and CUL-DAR65 contain a diverse array of materials for Darwin's research on earthworms. All of the textual items in these folders, including this one, have been transcribed in a single file: CUL-DAR63-65.
111
Jan 14 /72 When I speak of carbonic acid in soil refer to the quasi-pebbles embedded for 29 years; for according to my experience angular fragments wd not have been nearly so much dissolved, if exposed to air for the period.
Mem: no frost in Tropics yet plenty of vegetable mould.
Besides worms, moles, & Geotropes, the dung-beetles which bring up so much fine Earth from beneath much acid in leeway slopes.
The extreme thickness of mould on the Down near Stone henge average less than 3 1/2 inch is obstacle to belief of much being washed down; as it can originate very slowly by dissolution of Chalk. — Perhaps wd have been thicker, if not carried down by worms, at a little quick note owing the fineness of turfs
111v
Judging from Lawn it is only larger castings which leave larger residue, covered with grass.
Citation: John van Wyhe, ed. 2002-. The Complete Work of Charles Darwin Online. (http://darwin-online.org.uk/)
File last updated 9 February, 2026