RECORD: Darwin, C. R. 1877. [Earthworm research notes]. CUL-DAR64.1.11. Edited by John van Wyhe (The Complete Work of Charles Darwin Online, http://darwin-online.org.uk/)
REVISION HISTORY: Prepared and edited by John van Wyhe 7.2025. RN1
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 volume CUL-DAR64.1 contains material for Earthworms, experiments on worms; different locales & photographs and cuttings from journals.
11
March 2d 1877
In Sand-walk 2 great heaps, long left to decay were removed some months ago & now the bare surfaces are covered with brown worm-castings to a degree I never saw equalled — This shows that the sunken earth is but with vegetable matter in relation as food.
(Used)
(It will account through penetration for earth beneath an ancient ruin not becoming exhausted — if decaying matter or leaves accumulated at its base)
(Habit)
Citation: John van Wyhe, ed. 2002-. The Complete Work of Charles Darwin Online. (http://darwin-online.org.uk/)
File last updated 7 July, 2025