RECORD: Darwin, C. R. 1872. [Earthworm research notes]. CUL-DAR64.1.8. 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. 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 volume CUL-DAR64.1 contains material for Earthworms, experiments on worms; different locales & photographs and cuttings from journals.
8
Feb. 3d. /72/
What can worms live on as they frequent earth under paving stones or Tiles — where very little vegetation (or near as in Roman's case can live between joints, I think I must have erred in regard to Lawn a day or 2 ago is saying that worm live almost eating within 5 inches of surface, for I find in my own field in Red clay worm at some feet depth after long period. Does the casting get mixed with black earth, & so not commonly appear red?
(What can worms feed on in my red clay? Organic matter in solution?-)
If they do not often go deep, more cd not be covered up- to level any [illeg] on the borders of floor rises.
(over)
8v
How do they bring their tail to the surface to eject excrement- Do they push it before them?
Citation: John van Wyhe, ed. 2002-. The Complete Work of Charles Darwin Online. (http://darwin-online.org.uk/)
File last updated 7 July, 2025