The Complete Work of Charles Darwin Online

RECORD: Darwin, C. R. 1872. [Earthworm research notes]. CUL-DAR63.112. Edited by John van Wyhe (The Complete Work of Charles Darwin Online, http://darwin-online.org.uk/)

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.

112

March 7/72

Worms

After showing that castings washed down — give evidence from Teg Down Valley [Winchester] with wood-cut — thickness in bottom wd have been much greater had it not been for flow during storms — 2d percolation with Chalk [3d] & dissolution of chalk (for mould & casting consist largest of carbonate of lime & carbon) The dissolution explains thickness of mould on chiller downs

These go on the old Ridge & Furrows

Also old Ruins.

Percolation of mould explains worms descending low down — W. dried chalk & put it into muddy water- again dried if or — & fine firm Earthy matter was then sucked in.

Citation: John van Wyhe, ed. 2002-. The Complete Work of Charles Darwin Online. (http://darwin-online.org.uk/)