[x]  [CUL-DAR64.2.29_001]

[undated but possibly October 1870]

Terrace

Ounces

20[+]20[+]20[+]12[=] 72 ounces

3 lb.8 oz.

 

[x]  [CUL-DAR64.2.29_002]

[calculations]

 

[x]  [CUL-DAR64.2.29_003]

On common

Ounces 20[+] 20[+]20[+]20[+]20[+]14[=]114 ounces

7 lb : 7 1/4 oz

 

[x]  [CUL-DAR64.2.29a]

Sqr yd on terrace cleared Oct. 9th /70

Last collected Oct. 14th/71

 

[x]  [CUL-DAR64.2.30a-30c_001]

Sqr yd Common cleared Oct 24/70

Last collected Oct 27/71

 

[x]  [CUL-DAR64.2.30a-30c_002]

From Sq yd or Common

 

[x]  [CUL-DAR63.7_001]

[Nov 26 1870-1871]

Nov 26 1871 or 1870 I think

I watered with very fine rose pulpy castings just thrown up, & it was surprising how long they resisted the drops. I suppose owing to their adhesiveness, drops of rain however, wd fall with greater force. When at last & very slowly they did disappear amongst the finely mown turf, they seemed to sink perpendicularly downwards. As this seemed improbable I mixed fine chalk powder with saliva to same consistence as fresh casting, & then mixed this with

 

[x]  [CUL-DAR63.7_002]

a casting, disturbing its position as little as possible. I then watered 2 thus treated as before & they disappeared as before. In one case I cd detect no chalk particles between the grass, but in the other case I found many on the slope 3 inches below the casting. The slope however was considerable viz 16° 20'

(Nov 29th Casting prepared with chalk from Rain to act on — grass cleared)

Fruitful

 

[x]  [CUL-DAR63.8-9_001]

Nov 28[1870]

1)

Rather fresh castings, I see they are generally perched on grass & do not touch the ground until accumulated in large quantities, impalbably fine. Hence cd hardly fail to be liquefied by rain. Today I again tried mixing chalk & gum water with castings, taking care that they were not thus rendered more liquid, leaving them still perched a little above the earth. I then cleared with scissors every blade of grass &c, but

 

[x]  [CUL-DAR63.8-9_002]

not touching the earth itself & watered as before. I distinctly saw chalk 4 or 5 in. below the casting & the water running between the grass a foot below was slightly pale muddy. The slopes on the lawn were 6°, 2°30, & 3°

[insertion:]Nov. 29th when dry I could trace the fine chalk 5 & 6 inches, mould below & of the castings

No doubt the rose caused a shower with drops closer than almost any rain, but drops not so large as in thunder-storm, & not striking the surface with nearly same force as rain.

Slope of Road — inches of Railway

Sand

 

[x]  [CUL-DAR64.2.11-12_001]

Leith Hill

 

[x]  [CUL-DAR64.2.11-12_002]

Dec 9 [n.y.]

Upper inch of Turf pard off. Block seems very compact.

Means of 2 top measurements on long sides 8.8 long

[annotated sketch and calculations]

(These measurements are all little under the mark or not over.)

(Dec 9th — I do not think the Block has shrunk more than one or two tenth of an inch.

Does this refer to Leith Hill???

 

[x]  [CUL-DAR63.3]

Jan 4/71/

Very Heavy Rain & storm last night - some pools of water quite clear on Lawn- On steep slope with castings [could] hardly fail to be muddy. Castings several subside, but not so much as I expected. The chalk last put on castings almost or quite washed away. — Some signs of washing away on old chalk castings — (Clear case of old disintegrated blown leewards, & on one steepish slope, all blown away from between ruins)

Crumble blown

Dr King

 

[x]  [CUL-DAR63.4]

Jan. 31/71/

9 10 11 1

Visited pasture field beyond stony field, but could not succeed in ascertaining with accuracy point whence worm ejected, often more than one hole but I could see plainly (looking only to old subsided castings) but have on side of stony field, tho a much large portion of casting almost invariably lies on lower side of orifice. Nevertheless we succeeded in measuring 3 on old pasture (New in Grozer Table)

(1) total length down slope 2.25 inches angle of slope 7°

(2) Length 2.35 ∠ = 8° 30'

(3) Length 2.10 ∠ 6° 30'

One disc, much subsided, apparently originally from 2 worms all found together was 4 1/2 inches in length down slope.

The weight of above all 3 very damp castings above Hole 447 grams

The weight of do beneath Hole grain 916 gram (without bags)

(Bag. 53 gram)

 

[x]  [CUL-DAR64.1.2]

Nov 14/71/

The white sand in Gower St thrown up on bare garden ground - in wood of Sandwalk about 2 years ago — Settled lime & casting at top, 23 inches from ground castings result of the red sand mingled with dark earth. — I traced some of those drawn & found the open paper coated with black earth - whether sand yielded & hole thus been too large & was coated with the worms' voidings. - or whether sand was too rough, I cannot say — It wd appear that same passage long used

Finest earth best fitted to be washed [illeg]

 

[x]  [CUL-DAR64.2.5_001]

[Nov 15/71/]

Parkland harrowed & laid in grass 1 year before our arrival — a layer of flints small & large. Now Nov 15. 1871 I have dug long narrow furrow with perpendicular sides & measured in several places thickness of earth with many stones above layer full of stones; the 2 easily separating, & the thickness is 2 7/8 inches to surface, living grass long been pulled up. 3/8 quite enough as very poor pasture, for layer composed of roots — to allow 2.5 from earth. Very few castings in this field — It slopes steeply on one side — this was strewn thickly covered with great flints, while [illeg] under one's feet. I remember chunks more wd be covered — now How cd gallops [illeg]

 

[x]  [CUL-DAR64.2.5_002]

without least reason — remained much longer uneven. Now nearly equally covered perhaps about 2 1/2 inches. — so worms have been worked rather quicker, & I can plainly see by castings, owing perhaps to better drainage, are more numerous.

 

[x]  [CUL-DAR64.1.3]

Nov 21/71/

There were not so much reiterated casting up of the same earth as I thought, for though worms must surface perhaps through the earth beneath to surface a while, but lately passed through their intestines, they were the same passage or high round from below for some time & thus make larger heaps of castings on same spots brought up from some considerable depth

 

[x]  [CUL-DAR64.2.16]

Nov 23 71.

Largest casting in field beyond Stony Bank - Chalky & very poor soil. — I think largest castings are in poor soil. — Dryed in warmer places & owing lean pastures

3,03 — 379 gr

 

Casting from Mr Smith larger field — This may be considered as a larger ordinary casting

Dryed as above.

1,0.3: 97 grs

 

[x]  [CUL-DAR63.5]

Nov 23d 71

After some frost & dry weather then slight thaw & fog & damp air worm—castings disintegrated, & pellets had rolled down on flat stone embedded on lower side, but not on upper side of casting — on Stubble field — Slope gather.

 

[x]  [CUL-DAR64.2.17-18_001]

Dec 2 1871

Dissolved by [water of] chalk

I put chalk on field near K.garden Nov 1842[insertion:] 1871[-]1842[=]29& today[insertion:] But Horriddug a trench on the space as far as I cd remember where; & I found several nodules of chalk, looking curiously like pebbles with all their angles dissolved away, at the depth of 7 inches from the surface i.e. 6 1/2 subtracting the turf. I believe this was the chalk that I put on the field, because in another part which was mossy, I distinctly remember having a year or 2 afterwards, having put a layer of cinders, & at some subsequent

 

[x]  [CUL-DAR64.2.17-18_002]

time, another layer; I have dug a trench here & found many cinders at the depth of 7 & 5 1/2 in. from surface where the chalk was the thickness of vegetable mould was 9 1/4 in. & beneath this many flints; I feel sure this was all earth thrown up by the worms because close above one of the large flints there was a small pebble of flint. The field had been evidently laid down in grass several yrs before 1842, but it was poor pasture. If we assume that it had been laid down about 30 yrs then the thickness of the earth below the chalk wd agree with what I found in Pokelands

 

[x]  [CUL-DAR63.10]

Dec 23d 71

There was rather heavy rain 2 or 3 days ago, but I cannot see any chalk washed down — The old Earth cast somewhat reduced & looks coarser — some appear as if washed down, 1/2 or 1 inch below casting making a sort of [illeg]

 

[x]  [CUL-DAR63.11]

Dec 25/71/

On poor grass field — lately laid down (beyond Stony field) or slope of about 6° measured: examined many several disintegrated castings — Slimy discs only little higher in middle — so that all 3 actions (wind) enabled (& perhaps transport matter washed them further down slope) & in all there at least to 2/3 of Earth below the hole, which was discovered by slimy soft [little] turfs & finding hole beneath or by pushing casting away.

 

[x]  [CUL-DAR64.1.4]

Dec 26 /71/

At Maer cinder many scattered, but I had 1 1/2 inches of fine fully sifted cinders put on field — now a fine casting at top. & by tracing down, I find a hollow cinder of mud — it is deem word had reaching pushed tube in order & casts one earth & the particle to earth & made first castings & others reached surface without a thick tube.

Cinders loose— As far as I could judge had not swallowed any cinders.

 

[x]  [CUL-DAR63.28_001]

Dec 26 /71

[in margin:]The importance of the flowing of sludge after rain is greatly enhanced, by numberless castings brought up after long-continued rain after dry weather.

 

During last 18°[hours]continuous fine rain, so much has fallen, but never very heavy, & have all the recent castings are in state of poorly & have last transform shape & have subsided. I cut off the larger of turf & measured as before. & it is certain that in almost every case the pulpy moss had flowed a little downwards, so that turf 2/3 was below hole — On Lawn line trail — slope in one part over the down below had been very great [illeg] (see other [illeg])

It is now certain that casting last long only when first dryed — It is clear that the downward flow of the

 

[x]  [CUL-DAR63.28_002]

which casting — when rendered pulpy, is chief agency.

The orifices come to surface at various angle, ((( but I think generally at right ∟s. & if so, this wd avoid the lowering of the number.

 

Dec. 29th not only does whole casting collapse & sunken down, but upper part is washed over & flow over lower part. During rain, I put lime chalk on summit alone, & guarded the wet [illeg] but a particle blown, but now often broken & but heavy rain, there are some stubbles of chalk down slope of casting, showing that there has been down-flow.

 

[x]  [CUL-DAR63.25]

[Dec 26 1871]

1

Worm castings

Weight of Earth below the hole 185 [gr]

Weight of Earth above the hole 102[gr]

 

[Therefore]Weight below[÷]weight above = 9/5 nearly

This was not an old one

 

Dec 26/71 Lawn on mound

Casting above 1. 7/8 long

Turf thrown away

∠ of slope 5 1/2°

December 26th

 

[x]  [CUL-DAR63.26]

Dec 26 & 27.

2

Measured on Lawn

Beneath hole grams

Lower 129

Upper 054

Slope 10 1/2°

 

[x]  [CUL-DAR63.27]

3

Length inch 2 1/2 (of casting)

Slope 4 1/2°

below hole 182[gr]

Above hole 088 [gr]

hole pointing up the hill

Part was almost new & part rather old

On mound on Lawn

Dec. 27th

 

[x]  [CUL-DAR63.72]

Dec 27 /71/

The Holes came up at all ∠s to surface often very obliquely or very much inclined — That it cd be shows that it comes up at the ∠ to slope ie shortest route to surface that work wd be very effective.

The castings during rain seem brought up extra wet as if worm had absorbed water to aid in excretion —

Some of the very pulpy castings (during rain) seemed to have been blown by strong wind to leeward, & slope of course wd aid this-

Say Wonderful the number of castings incessantly brought to surface —

Dec 29

(It is impossible to strike average about ∟°, one wd think they wd generally, one wd think from at rt. ∟ to slope, but no evidence if this)

 

[x]  [CUL-DAR64.2.19_001]

Dec 27 71.

Had the chalk trench enlarged & found several pebbles of chalk larger & smaller — One embedded (with flint true pebble above it) at barely 9 inches from surface of turf. — But in this new trench there is some appearance of broken line 6 inches from surface; can there be when [illeg] roots of grass end.

Of the above chalk pebbles are [similar] 1842. Then, the field cd only lately have been laid down, for abundant angular stones, mixed with much earth lie close beneath — N. B. In ground [poached] by animals to [illeg] of chalk wd fall into hollow & when

 

[x]  [CUL-DAR64.2.19_002]

in a 3d part of same field, there was only 6 inches of some mould from surface above 5 inches of earth moderately mixed with stones, & looking like a plumped surface, & at the depth of 11 inches from surface was the undulated red clay with large flints.

 

Jan 3d[1872]

Had a trench dug not far from lawn, & found that a pit in large tree had once stood there, for hole had been filled up very coarse red clay & flint with some chalk & pebbles; This must have been at least 40 years ago — yet mould from surface only 4 1/8 to 4 3/8 in thickness — I suppose worms did not like the coarse still red clay; though now many castings on the spot. I foresee at least left for grass to grow slowly or or perhaps coated with the turf —

having walk passed over to field wd be driven in — The big fragment wd be pushed deepest in, & the present pebble was rather large.

Dissolution of chalk — fragment on lower surface wd came later to [path]?

 

[x]  [CUL-DAR63.29]

Dec 29[1871]

∠ 6°

lower 83 [gr]

Upper 98 [gr]

Mound on Lawn - Castings still vermiform & not yet washed down so of very little or no value.

I do not think this angle to come in average.

 

[x]  [CUL-DAR63.30]

Dec 29 71

4)

Mound on lawn

Disk of worm casting much washed - partly down hill & partly with wind

Upper 33

Lower 143

about greatest length 1 7/8 inches

∠ 8° 45'

Worm had probably cast below hole, but casting had certainly also subsided

 

[x]  [CUL-DAR64.2.20]

Dec 29 71

Had a Trench dug in field near House in middle which has probably been laid down as pasture a century — Here fine earth without stones varied much in thickness with atoms of bricks or tiles red & pebbles at bottom in same trench, measured from surface in parts only 6 1/2 in or part 8 1/2; so not thicker than in other field — 7 miles wd be faintest average — If worms threw up in one spot then in another near by, Many lurking process wd begin.

Though I found a worm hole & live worms at depth of 26 inches, yet very few castings in the immediate vicinity. — Many fields evidently poor. Many near to cherry trees & in certain other spot — Even on lawn. Smooth holes of castings, but very few under yews or under Limes.

[x]  [CUL-DAR63.1_001]

Dec 31/71/

Boys at Holwood Park castings more crumbling & rolled downwards — There was also much crawling on steep slopes of stony field — depends on nature of castings. (5)

Jan 1. Birds & every other animal which [touches] the pallets, with [wind] to throw farther down hill than up hill

over

 

[x]  [CUL-DAR63.1_002]

Jan 1 1871 [1872]

There has been strong wind blowing, & the still soft castings seem most of them (not so much in those observed directly after rain) slightly blown over to leewards —

Though not subsided.

West S. W. winds wd blow over fully castings; dry N. Wind the vermiform fragment

 

[x]  [CUL-DAR63.73]

Jan 1 72

In the same field as before we measured the depth by stretching a string from edge to edge transversely to the furrow placing a walking stick in the furrow & pressing it down so as to get the average level of the furrow & measur[ing]the depth from the string to the furrow.

We began by measuring a furrow transverse to the hill in the steepest part & following it up the slope towards the point of the 'Spoon' until the slope nearly died away; in the upper part (near the point of the Spoon) the furrows might be said to be more up the hill wh. was a gentle slope than transverse.

The measures were taken about every 10 paces & were (beginning at the steep & transverse part)

5 3/4 6 1/2 7 1/4 7 6 5 1/4 4 1/4 5 1/4 5 1/2 5 3/4 inches

In the next furrow but one nearer to the centre line of the Spoon, where the hill to which the furrow in its lower part ran transverse was not so steep, the numbers taken in the same order were

5 1/4 4 3/4 6 1/2 5 1/4 5 4 3/4 6 6 1/2 inches

In a furrow which ran almost up a very gentle slope nearly flat at top the numbers were (beginning at the lowest point

6 4 3/4 5 1/2 5 6 1/2 6 5 1/2 5 1/2

 

[x]  [CUL-DAR63.74]

And on a part of the field which was quite level the depths of 8 parallel furrow measured in the same place — (Thus in the figure A B C D &c were the places of measurement) were

6 6 8 14 6 12 6 5 14 5 6 14 inches

[x]  [CUL-DAR63.75]

Observations on the results

If the worm theory is true one wd expect to find the furrows more filled up where they are transverse to the hill than when they run down it. The 1st & 2nd furrows might [wrongly] be considered as one half being transverse & the other half down the hill

Now average depth of 1st or lower 5 measures in 1st furrow is 6.50 inches of the 2nd or upper 5 measures in 1st furrow is 5.2 inches

Thus in per furrow the furrow was actually deeper by more than an inch where it run most transversely

The same operation for 2nd furrow gives 5.44 inches for depth of transverse part & 5.56 longitude.

Here it is as was expected & the upper part is deeper by .12 inches

Again the average depth of the whole 1st furrow is 5.85 inches & that of whole 2nd furrow is 5.50 inches

Thus the 1st furrow altho' situated

 

[x]  [CUL-DAR63.76]

more on the slope of the hill was actually deeper by .35 inches

The average depth of the 3rd furrow was 5.72 inches that is almost of the same average depths as the 1st and 2nd furrows wh. were 5.85 & 5.5 respectively

The average depth of furrow in the flat part is 6.15 inches — that is deeper than any other furrows except the lower part of the 1st furrow — I am thus inclined to think that the lower part of the 1st furrow is abnormal — since it ought not to be deeper much on the level under any circumstances

The mean error in 1st set of measures is .67

2nd .62

3rd .46

4th 62

That is the measure deviate on either side of the average by over 1/2 an inch & thus goes to show that no great reliance can be placed on the figures as the measurement give such uncertain results.

 

[x]  [CUL-DAR63.70]

[Jan 1 1872]

Perhaps the furrows in upper part of slope were originally shallower

Why should not the furrows have become obliterated by weather before the turf grow

There were plenty of worm castings 1/2 way up the slope, I forgot to see if there were many at top of slope

 

[x]  [CUL-DAR63.71]

3/4 of mile from Stonehenge

Grass slope about one mile south of Stonehenge

Grass the same as over rest at downs, Shepherd said it was quite out of memory when it was ploughed Landlord said a century at least

Furrows 13 strides apart, almost 8 of them

all the furrows faded away at almost the same place

Very faint furrows much obliterated with cart tracts came down into valley from opposite side, bit did not quite correspond in position

[annotation by Darwin:]not done with clinometer by eye alone

 

[sketch: transverse section]

[annotation by Darwin:]Furrows & Crown ran down the Hill; Central is steeper in the part steeper; About here the [illeg] extremely level furrow ran where furrows & ridge Ended. This is not the note referred to in the note of Monday Jan 1 1872; Is there any stream?

 

Nearly 1 inch maybe deducted from reach reading from height of head of skewer (1/4) & natural inequalities

 

underneath mould it was mixed flints & chalk so that as I got higher it became more difficult to drive in skewer, at last it became impossible and I had to drive it in quite sideways

 

Section of slope through furrow

— Scale 1/4 inch to stride — upper figures numbers of strides

lower figures depth of furrow

 

General slope 8° to 10° taken with eye by means of semicircle when lying on chest.

 

[x]  [CUL-DAR63.2]

Jan 2d[1872]

After very rainy night not very Heavy — I can now see traces of washing down of chalk from the old castings with chalk —

Old castings with grains some of pellets blown to leeward —

On quite level surface — no movement except through wind. I think wind does much, both on pushing castings & on pellets.

Wind Crumble

 

[x]  [CUL-DAR64.2.21-22_001]

Jan 5 1872

Beaulieu Abbey

1872[-]19[=]1853

The whole of the Abbey has disappeared except a portion of the South aisle wall. The position of nave transcept [that] has been ascertained by excavation of foundation and is now marked by stones let into the turf where the abbey stood is now entirely grass tile those of well kept field, the old man, who showed me over, who is now porter at the Palace lodge (& I think shared the steward call him the old bailiff) was 74, & had lived in the neighbourhood all his life, said the surface had not been touched within memory.

19 years ago the D. of Buccleuch opened the turf in 3 places at the West end of the nave and exposed the old tesselated pavement, this was protected by a trap door and by being bricked round.

Hole no 1 The tiles or tesselated movement were 6 3/4 inches between the level of turf

Hole no 2 [do] 10 inches — do-

Hole no 3 11 1/2 inches — do-

 

The general surface of turf was level, and the 3 holes were within a few yards of each other — No 2 being only 3 1/2 yards from No 1 and No 3 8 yards from No 2 in No 1 & 2 & I think No 3, worm castings were coming thru the intersection between the tiles, No 1 which measured 2 ft 3 3/4 x 2 ft 3 5/8[insertion by Darwin:] How by square feetcontained 8 oz avoirdupois (less 3 drachm apoth) of mould from castings which was sand to have accumulated in about 6 months. These castings contained minute particles of slate tile, mortar, the showing that the same rubbish that is found in

 

[x]  [CUL-DAR64.2.21-22_002]

2

other places without tiles above it exists underneath these tiles and is penetrated by the worms (this should be confirmed by crumbling a casting under a magnifying glass)

About 15 to 20 from this spot & 5 yards from W End of Nave. I had a hole dug; the depth was 8 3/4 inch down to a solid concrete pavement, the first 2 3/4 being pure worm mould the remaining 6 inches being full of rubbish tiles, stones, slates, bits of concrete or hard mortar, an oyster shell, but all mixed with worm mould; worm castings about — the surface had not been touched within memory.

 

Hole 1/2 way down the nave — 2 inches of pure worm mould 11 inches of mixed rubbish as before — Evidently made earth or rubbish filled up by worm mould, did not come to any bottom of concrete the

Hole 10 yards from E. end / ie altar) — 2 1/2 inch mould rubbish, stones, tiles, mortar, flints.

Hole outside N. transcript — same rubbish mixed with mould

Hole 20 yards further N from N. transcript (is quite away from abbey) 11 inches of rich mould, then came up a few broken pieces of tile.

Hole old Brewery — surface never touched as far as the man knew — 1 1/2 inch of mould, then tiles rubbish &c very closely packed.

Hole — Mould in old cloister 11 — but I do not know how deep it went

 

[x]  [CUL-DAR63.77-78]

Jan 1872

4

furrows on same slope in field at Beaulieu bare grass between 50 & 60 yards -Bailiff told me (or former Bailiff) — the angle of slope in first furrow is taken from the 2nd in which case each measurement was made

W. E. Darwin

Jan 1872

[Charts and calculations]

 

Perhaps all that I can find in the old furrow folds do not [4 words illeg]

It appears that furrows are somewhat filled up at bottom of slope & actually deeper in steepest parts. But the [Harming] of field, when laid down great cause of doubt.

 

[x]  [CUL-DAR63.13]

Jan 7/72/

There has been for some days much heavy rains & in my field & on field to village shallowy ponds on surface of grass-land. This water is slightly muddy — This may be in part due to castings — notice this of the flowing of old & recent water chalk castings, [Though:] new to case of above muddy water it = of course impossible to say that very heavy rain having not washed away some fine Earth from grass matted land.

 

[x]  [CUL-DAR63.32]

Jan 7. 72

[William]suppose[ing]the worm casting to be a bar

Then 1/2 of the amount below hole has descended thro' HO = 2/6 AB + 1/6 AB

ie 1/3 of the whole casting = 1/2 AB

Therefore 100 grains of castings on a surface, sloping 9°-26' descends thro' 1.015 inches & 100 grains is 1/3 of all that is brought up.

Thus if 1/10 in. is brought up a year[insertion:]I may safely say .15 inch

the flow is 1/3 x 1/10 x 1 cubic inches

past every linear inch per annum or of Earth per year

1 1/5 cubic inches per annum

The travelling occurs only during heavy rain [2 words illeg] had driven pellets traces down

[Figure](drawn perpendicular to the line of greatest slope of dry hill)

[Figure]sq. yard covered with 1/10 of inch of castings

1 1/5 cubic inches of the casting traces down slope 1 inch

 

16) 10/ 112

 

[x]  [CUL-DAR63.33]

Jan 7. 72

[Measurements and calculations]

 

[x]  [CUL-DAR64.2.24_001]

Jan 7/72/

A large casting on sloping parts of Stony Field in damp state weighed 1740 grain

(I unit oz = 437.5 gr)

[calculation]

 

[x]  [CUL-DAR64.2.24_002]

[calculation]

 

[x]  [CUL-DAR63.111_001]

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 Stonehenge is obstacle to belief if 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

average less than 3 1/2 inch

 

[x]  [CUL-DAR63.111_002]

Judging from Lawn it is only larger castings which leave larger residue, covered with grass.

 

[x]  [CUL-DAR63.14_001]

Jan 15. [1872]In Mr. Smith Field across lawn, which is not rolled William observed that whole field covered with [illeg] — ie small conical projections, with grass growing on them. There were manifestly castings covered with grass. — Here we see Earth of castings on level surface — others wd be cast up on the sides & old ones slightly aside & this field kept on same general level. (But I saw in case that wind had apparently blown them over [cite]—

Jan 16 Holwood on steep grassy slopes, the [precipice] rather less plain then on the level parts,

apparently for flowing & crumbling of castings — The numbers wonderful — I found on space of 16 inches traces to the slope & also 6 inches broad covered ∠ single sheet of Earth due to confluences of castings — on several parts or slopes from 8° - to 11°30', then were elongated

 

[x]  [CUL-DAR63.14_002]

discs or subsidedcastings of 6, 7, & 2 1/2 inches in length down the slope, apparently formed by the confluence of adjoining castings — there is certainly considerable transport of some Earth on slope like this

On part of park where gravel comes close to surface & hardly any trail, no worm castings.

 

[x]  [CUL-DAR63.15]

Jan 18/72/

Measured sloping ditch at end of sand-walk & confirmed fact that surface thickness [illeg] with pellets rolled down & formed ∠ 27°

 

[x]  [CUL-DAR63.16_001]

Jan 18/72

After late storms & much rain examined many scores of castings of field, level, on ordinary grazed pasture (very few castings comparatively with Holwood) at it is certain that all show evidence of having been carried by wind a little to leeward; for all slope gently (like by ice-worn hillocks to N.) to windward & steep to leewards — Very many not only steep to leeward, but then summit curl over, really [miniature] course below. It is certain that on land grass-covered surface the Earth for long packed on the grass must be driven to the leeward, in relation toprevailingwind, what is accompanied by rain

 

[x]  [CUL-DAR63.16_002]

& then with as is to S. W. wind. — I do not yet know how far the dry crumbly pellets can be driven by dry N. E. wind — I shd think wd sure be entangled in roots of grass.

I had thought,thatclearing them, that no action through worm on level surface —

Wind

 

[x]  [CUL-DAR63.17]

Jan 19th 72

I have been observing the old castings marked with [pins] shortly after [retraction] from Leith Hill 2 or 3 months ago about 10 weeks ago, & I find some washed among almost [illeg] owing, as shown by yellow mud down slope between grassy [illeg] apparently blown quite away, & some still remaining with grass growing through them, & therein wd be permanently preserved!

Often crumbly

 

[x]  [CUL-DAR64.1.6]

Jan 19/72/

In bottom of valley beyond Stony Field (where many measurements first made) in extraordinary numbers of large castings; in other parts of same field few — Why? On path, little used on bank of Stony F. many more then other parts. Why? Why more L. v. Down & in Holwood — Why few in my field?

 

[x]  [CUL-DAR63.18]

Jan 21 72

Visited Grass-Field with Game-Keeper's cottager - I cd see no signs on steep slope of castings blown upwards by late storms — plenty of old subsided ones. — This blowing up the slope wd occur only during very lateral storms — The wind is chiefly important for level surfaces

 

[x]  [CUL-DAR63.19-19a_001]

Jan 24/72

After last night extraordinary S.W storm & torrents of rain, most of Earth casting on lawn & on several fields, all were flat patches of level dirt, as if so much[illeg] had been spilt & had spread out. Several of them, showed open by open passages between blades of grass to leewards, washed how they had been blown in this direction — It is clear that such cakes of fluid dirt wd have been much influenced by gravity. — But on slope on mound on lawn, some had been blown up slope. (Pellets rolled by N. E. dry winds wd partly counterbalance this action.)

 

[x]  [CUL-DAR63.19-19a_002]

(Some time ago I observed a very yellow casting on mud, when ∠ of 5°, & now (Jan. 28) after heavy rains, I found it has clearly flowed down slope, clear from colour.

 

[x]  [CUL-DAR63.31]

Jan 24 1872

(2)

On Lawn, some of old casting with chalk, had whitish patch, from washed down chalk. 1 inch below the casting — How The angle of slope is 7° Effervesced there also. At 2 1/2 inches from chalk I am almost sure there was after [illeg]

 

[x]  [CUL-DAR63.20]

Jan 25/72/

Visited steepish slope on Stony Field & Gamekeeper's field after late storms. Many of the castings have flowed like semi-fluid mortar (better simile than honey) over the rather coarse grass, & are about 5 inches in length in line of slope. — no dull finer matter washed sown lower.

The aspect of these masses showed that they had flowed in parts of slope where wind had acted sideways the matter had flowed obliquely down the slope — Again I saw on moderate slope on Stony Field some cover of castings about had been blown a little up hill.

 

[x]  [CUL-DAR63.12]

Jan 29/72[in margin]

At bottom of above valley, where very slight slope coincides with late S. W. storms of W. & Rain, storms of Wind & rain, all the castings slope exactly as drenched yesterday in my field. On slope of turn Stony F. several similarly sloped up the slope! Of course wd have sloped more down the slope. Winds in storms certainly more effective then gravity on gentle slope.

I now feel sure that there must be in England a slow but steady flow of lime Earth for all S. W. to N. E. but [illeg] & carried off by every intervening valley or gully.

Case on Lawn of up slope on Jan 2d 1872

 

[x]  [CUL-DAR64.1.7]

Jan 29/72/

The great majority of castings on Lawn are dark but occasionally angular a yellow casting cast up & just wetter few last days many yellow have been cast up, so I had hole dug & found the yellow clay only 5 inches from surface

Have worms work chiefly under the surface, & then again with the hole in field, which had been filled up with red clay yet turf have been covered with dark castings — (It is [illeg] the worm carry from depth many deposit some castings in old disused holes.

 

[x]  [CUL-DAR64.1.8_001]

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 haveerredin 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, [illeg] cd not be covered up- the level any [illeg] on the borders of floor rises.

 

[x]  [CUL-DAR64.1.8_002]

How do they bring their tail to the surface to [2 words illeg] Do they push it above them?

 

[x]  [CUL-DAR64.1.9]

Feb 3/72/

In garden-earth often dug, many worms & few castings & now I have positively ascertained that they throw their castings in the old burrow, which are but wasted.

With celery earthed up there are spaces between them, & there I find casts filled up with the castings — Does that not indicate that they come to nearest point to cast up? Or do they go there for decayed leaves?

 

[CUL-DAR63.79-80_001-004]

8 February 1872

Given to me at Down Feb. 8th 1872

Lucy Wedgwood

[See the letter in The correspondence of Charles Darwin, vol. 20, pp. 67-68.]

 

[x]  [CUL-DAR63.99-110_001]

Feb 9 1872 i = inches

(1)

St Catherine's hill, Winchester, one mile South of Town an irregular conical hill with steep sides & dome shaped top about 2/3 from base it is surrounded by a deep ditch cut in the undisturbed chalk that continues up the ditch having been thrown upwards in some parts so as to form a steep bank above the ditch. The general form & size of the ditch is an ellipse with longer axis nearly 1/4 mile, the shorter about 3/16 mile. — Antiquaries say it is the work of Britain, Danes, or Romans, most probably the latter.

Dug a hole about 25 yrds from W. base of slope (∠ 15°) could not find a place on that side of less angle as the base of hill is cut-away to form a canal.

Found 5 inches pure mould, then 8 inches of mixed chalk & mould (chalk smallish rounded pieces) then came to chalk bottom — plenty of worm castings.

Dug a hole 25 yards higher up (∠ 23°)

Mould 2 3/4 to 3 inches then mixed mould & Chalk (Containing some larger pieces of chalk) 6 1/2 to 6 3/4 i

Then came to chalk bottom.

 

About 200 ft above this we came to the ditch. The ∠ of slope just below ditch is 27 3/4° to 28°. ∠ of artificial Bank of ditch 34° general slope above ditch & bank 17° - 18° gradually getting flatter on to the top.

 

(See back)

 

[x]  [CUL-DAR63.99-110_002]

got Parsons RE to analyze chalk from Chalk pit on N. E. of St Catherines — taken from near base up hill about [illeg] feet from surface measure[symbol]perpendicularly —

Sifted the fine chalk which came from the crevices to a powder 2.245 ounces left a residue of 0.225 of dirt about 1/10 th

Solid lump of chalk weighing 2.388 left residue of 0.185 of dirt i.e between 1 1/12 & 1 1/13

[Darwin describes the chalk samples William sent to Parsons in Earthworms, pp. 299-300. ]

 

[x]  [CUL-DAR63.99-110_003]

(2)

Ditch on N. W. slope of St Catherines

D = ditch

A = outer Bank of ditch

B = inner or upper Bank (artificial)

 

[sketch]

The outer bank of A at point taken is almost 1 ft to 18 inches high, being quite sufficient to prevent any earth passing out of itch D down the slope. — distance from top of Bank A to bottom of D 9 ft distance from bottom of D to top of slope B 54 ft.

From the largeness of the work, and the nearness of the chalk by the surface, and as it seems pretty certain that the ditch was made by digging out & throwing up, I think when the ditch & bank was made it must have or certainly the Ditch must have been sunk into the chalk

Consisted of pure chalk * see back of sheet — the higher up the slope we dug the larger pieces of chalk we came to and the more flints quite at base of hill I think no flints were found; but on top of bank B we found a considerable number of fair sized flints with chalk between the mould & the pure chalk. — and all above this on taking up the mould we first came to a layer of flints with bits of chalk & mould mixed, then more chalk and so on to pure chalk. —

? does not this look as if some chalk had been thrown down the slope below A and the big pieces of chalk dug out of ditch & flints carried up to [illeg] slope B.

 

[x]  [CUL-DAR63.99-110_004]

March 2

Note at N. E. where the top of upper Bank is only raised a foot or two but sufficient to prevent earth passing over — depth of furrow mould in ditch 4 1/2 i pieces of flints carried up to form the slope B.

 

[x]  [CUL-DAR63.99-110_005]

[sketch of slopes]

 

[x]  [CUL-DAR63.99-110_006]

* This is doubtful, on reference to diagram p. 8 it is seen that in case of a bank & ditch made on such a slope as this it is probable that the contents of ditch D were thrown outwards over bank A, and the mould being thrown out first the bank A to D would be pure chalk; but the upper half of B would be made by throwing upwards and the mould would be thrown up first and would be at the top of the slope, so that though the slope B would be all chalk, the mould from the top would gradually be washed back down it into ditch D

 

[x]  [CUL-DAR63.99-110_007]

(3)

at NW

dug hole in ditch D at a level spot outer bank about 1 ft high — found 5 3/4 I quite pure mould 5 i mould with a very few small bits of chalk, then 6 inches mixed mould & chalk making about 17 inches down to what we considered the pure chalk (I had a man digging for me)

N.B on the top of the small outer bank A there was only 1/2 to 1 i of turf on the pure chalk, so that the chalk showed through.

Halfway up slope of bank B (∠ 34°)

5 1/2 mould 8 1/2 mixed M. & C. then came to chalk bottom (must measure this again to be sure (quite right at Feb 14) but mixed mould & chalk varies from 6 1/2 to 8 1/2 I took it fairly at right angles to slope)

earth from line above can pass over the top of bank

 

At top of bank B where there is a band of [illeg] level (∠ 4°) 2 yards wide

4 1/2 to 5 inches M. Then large pieces of chalk and flints with some mould, chalk much larger a good sprinkling of flint & not much mixed mould

There was about 8 inches of this, then pure chalk.

Perhaps this depth of mould is caused by the earth blown up in making Bank.

 

[x]  [CUL-DAR63.99-110_008]

(4)

about 30 yrds above top of bank B (∠ 13°) 2 i mould 8 inches of mould & chalk, chalk getting rapidly more plentiful in comparison to mould — largish flints, saw a worm at a depth of 8 to 9 inches between the lumps of chalk.

level part of top (perhaps ∠ 2°) exposed to S & W 3 i mould then flints then chalk & flints & mould 5 1/2 inches, making 8 1/2 in all; could not dig deeper, suppose it was chalk bottom

Flints increase as we reach the top.

Examined ditch on S side of hill much more evidently artificial

 

[sketch]

 

On top of Bank B almost 1 1/2 inch mould then chalk. Distance from top of B to D about 42 ft height up bank A about 2 ft, height of top of B above upper slope 5 or 6 ft at 9 ft from top of B 2 i mould them lumps of Chalk mixed with M (∠ 32° - 33°) in ditch D (sloping W about 3°) at the very junction

 

[sketch]

 

[x]  [CUL-DAR63.99-110_009]

(5)

after slopes at outer and inner bank dug hole, found pure mould 4 3/4 to 5 i on side of hole nearest B about 3 1/2 i on side A - then mixed chalk & mould. The ditch here is very narrow compared to ditch at E. East hence M deeper

(flints dug)

[illeg] at St Catherines at 3 are some old shallow pits now covered with grass

Across three old pits the grass gently slope up a hill opposite St Cath:

Dug a hole at bottom (∠ 7°)

(a) 7 1/2 i mould 2 to 3 i mixed mould & chalk, did not go deeper, as I had no man to dig.

(b) 70 yards up this slope (∠ 14°) — 3 1/4 to 3 1/2 pure mould then mixed mould & chalk

(c) at 110 or so yard, higher angles getting steeper it becomes nearly level (∠ 1°) — depth of mould 5 i.

(d) 100 further on to quite level — 4 1/2 to 5 i mould then flints & mixed chalk — exposed to S. W.

[sketch]

 

[x]  [CUL-DAR63.99-110_010]

Feb 14 1872

(6)

St Catherine Hill

N. side, the upper bank is lower here and the mould could pass over the top from upper part of hill

Near top upper bank where ∠ is 7° there was 4 i mould then mixed chalk mould & flints, this 4 i of mould may be in consequence of making the ditch

10 yards higher up (y) ∠ 13 3/4 — mould 2 3/4 i. then 10 i (or how many inches) mixed M. C. large pieces of chalk & flint not much mould — then chalk bottom — the man called it rubble

distance from top of bank to bottom of dirt 45 ft ∠ 29°

The ditch itself sloped 6° to 7° to W.

pure mould 4 1/2 i then 17 1/2 inch mould with very small bits of chalk & a few flints in it

4/5 or more mould earth could easily pass over top of bank; in several places coal bits of chalk & flints had rolled down Kicked out of lavish places such as the top of the lower bank aby sheep &c.

All round the ditch was greener than elsewhere

 

[x]  [CUL-DAR63.99-110_011]

Feb 14

(7)

N side a little more to W.

6 yrds above top of upper bank (∠ 18 1/2°) natural soiled could pass over top soil, mould 2 1/2 to 3/4 i (see ∠ [around] just at left

1/2 way down slope of bank (∠ 29° to 31°) — 3 1/2 i mound then 7 inches mixed M & C large piece.

Distance from top of bank to bottom of ditch 59 ft

ditch level wider than the last place Measure width

soil prevented by low bank on outside of one foot from passing out.

5 1/4 pure mould — then 13 1/4 of M. & C. & flint very little small bits of chalk at first, gradually yellowy more and larger, a good deal of in the whole depth — perhaps an inch or two deeper to pure chalk

On top of lower bank only 1/2 to 3/4 inch of turf little bits of chalk breaking, & crumbling, cut off grass, which wound easily, rolled back into ditch

 

[x]  [CUL-DAR63.99-110_012]

Feb 14

(8)

The Bank at different parts is made in [illeg] ways according to the slope of the ground, and the chalk & thrown partly down, or all uphill as the case may be.

 

[sketches]

 

On the S & W of St .Cath. the ditch is like A — on the N. & E. and S. E. like B.

Examined point at N.E

top of upper bank (marked B in red) was about 5 to 6 ft above general level. dug hole at X by above top of upper bank B red (∠ 3 1/2°) mould 2 2/3 i, the natural surface top of upper bank (B red) with merely thin turf on the chalk

chalk bits coming out of grass easily

distance from B red to D 40 1/2 to 41 ft ∠ of slope 30°

depth of mould half way down 4 1/4 inches

fair quantity of mould

 

[x]  [CUL-DAR63.99-110_013]

Feb 14

9)

ditch D Red level but considerably broader examine width

depth of M. 5 i then mixed mould and chalk very few worm castings in this slope so that little had fallen down

fair quantity of mould on slope & in ditch

loose stuff would easily work down from top & be imbedded at bottom

point at East upper bank made as before about 4 to 5 feet high — distance from top of bank to ditch about 47 foot (∠ of slope 31°) outer or lower ditch about 5 to 6 feet ie in diagram B height of A red above D red

Mould in ditch 3 1/2 i breadth of ditch

Then thick rubble consists of flints chalk & not much M.

 

[x]  [CUL-DAR63.99-110_014]

Feb 14

10)

point at S.E. — upper Bank 4 feet high (ie B red) 8 yrds above upper Bank (ie in diagram below)

 

∠ 6 1/4° mould only 2 3/4 nat. surface at base of slope of upper bank where it begins to slope up to form bank — found 8 inches of mould see point X red

b to X 13 1/2 ft x to y 4 1/2 ft

 

[sketch]

The man explained this by saying that when this bank was made, the mould was thrown up first before coming to the chalk, so that before digging the man (who was a layer out of lawns &c) said "Now here you will find about 8 or 9 inches of mould" — the only point is that the slope B to D much certainly have been originally pure chalk

From top of B to bottom of ditch D 49 ft ∠ of slope 28° to 30°

 

Ditch very broad see breadth

Mound half way down slope 3 15/42 then mixed flint chalk & mould, few W. casting light coloured

 

[in margin:]I do not believe the explanation the small amount of mould thrown up in sinking. B must have been curious with chalk

 

[x]  [CUL-DAR63.99-110_015]

Feb 14 See back

11)

Mould in ditch which was very broad 3 1/4 i then mixed fl: ch: M.

 

Examined W slope below lower ditch the slope was natural surface & slope away almost to a level grass field

about 2 to 3 yds below lower ditch — mould only 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 inches (∠ 25°)

1/2 way down slope 40 or 50 yds (∠ 24°) mould was 2 to 2 1/4 i

At base of slope 80 or 90 yards lower nearly level mould 8 1/4 i with very few little bits of chalk flint imbedded then came to flint bottom some flints bits of chalk were lying about apparently having been kicked out of a path that ran diagonally across hill

Lots of splendid castings — it is clear that wherever the soil improves the castings increase in size, and I think they increase as the slope increases certainly on the chalk artificial slopes in the N & E they are much less than on natural surface

[x]  [CUL-DAR63.99-110_016]

[sketch]

D to 1 40 to 50 yds

1-2 40-50

2-3 10 yds

3-4 20 yds

4-5 20 yds

5-6 20 yds

between 2 & 3 an old low bank & ditch forming an old boundary runs general 8 up of valley at 2 & 3 nearly 2° - Gardener was positive that after thunder showers he had seen water rushing down such valleys — the bottom of this valley roughly speaking was 20 — 25 yr old

wide — for D 1 .2 see back

at point 3; 8 1/2 pure mound 15 1/2 good mould with very few flints must dig deeper

at 4 mould 8-9 i

at 5 [do] 8 i

at 6 [do] 7 3/4

 

[x]  [CUL-DAR63.34_001]

Feb 22/72

Worms

Dr Forbes says he has good reason for believing that changes of temperature not only the sun even deep down, owing to percolation of water has important influence of disintegration. — Water with carb acid not only removesmatter, but [illeg] & form new minerals (not yet published) & exerts purpose by expansion. Agrees about frost & Tropics — Agrees that fragment in bath of water & carbonic acid more acted on the [illeg] exposed rocks — [illeg] that it is not ammonia which acts on glass — In thick silex in 2 states, in one soluble in plain water; so that water alone has more power of disintegration than wd be expected — Many angular fragments of chalk are rounded owing to point being over exposed on each sides to the action of moisture.

Says he has seen on mountain of Norway Hemline wrinkles, where there are no sheep. 

[in margin:] On disintegration of rocks

 

[David Forbes (1828-1876) was a mineralogist and geologist. This records a conversation during Darwin's stay in London in February and March 1872. Darwin mentioned some of these details in a letter to his brother on [1 March 1872], Correspondence of Charles Darwin, vol. 20, p. 94.]

 

[x]  [CUL-DAR63.34_002]

roots exerting Carbonic acid wd be dissolved

[x]  [CUL-DAR63.115_001]

March 7 1872[William E. Darwin]

Teg Down near Winchester

Scale 12 yards to the inch Valley runs N. E. SW Sloping 2° to 3° to N. E

(? see back Never been touched it is believed)

[Boxed:]Scale of thickness of mould 1/48 inch to the inch

[sketch:]transverse section

(1) Uplift of mould 4 inches then rubble getting quickly thicker rubble probably 2 to 3 ft before coming to pure chalk

(2) Mould 6 3/4 inches flints & mould 6 inches then rubble

(3) Mould 3 3/4 i flints & mould 5 to 6 inches then rubble

(4) Mould 4 to 4 1/4 i then rubble with few flints no layer of flints.

(5) Mould 5 1/4 i Mould flint & little chalk 5 3/4 then rubble

(6) Mould 6 1/4 i Mould & flints 12 3/4 good deal of mould then rubble

(7) slope of valley 1 3/4° Mould 9 i. 10 1/2 mixed M. & flints then rubble

(c) centre of valley level Mould 8 1/4 to 8 1/2 perhaps sheep horses & man occasionally walking here thru' there is no mark way depress the centre

(8) slope of valley 1 1/4° mould 8 3/4 i

(9) Mould 8 inch

between (10) & (11) remarkable change of level the surface looks quite natural

(10) Mould 7 to 7 1/4 i down on Rubble no flint layer. Castings lighter coloured

5 yards above (10) mould 6 1/2 i in ditch 8 1/2 yd above ditch 5

(11) Mould 2 1/2 inch on chalk rubble no flints layer. Enormous number of castings & lighter coloured

(12) Mould on to chalk lighter coloured

2 yrds to the right [illeg] was 5

(13) Mould 2 inch flint & rubble

between (13) & (14) traces of ditch not a deep one run in direction of run of valley

(14) Turf here was same years ago but laid down again without touchingroundsurface heaps of castings 4-5 i of mould

(15) 3 1/2 to 4 i mould then flint

(16) top of valley general slope to N. E 3 1/2° mould 3 to 4 i [illeg] flint

(17) over brow of hill sloping other way general slope to N.E 2° mould 4 to 4 1/2 i

 

[x]  [CUL-DAR63.115_002]

[sketch:]transverse section, continued

1/4 of scale possibly = 1 inch to 48 yards. Thickness of mould 1/40 of inch to inch

about 200-250 ds lower down his valley where the sides of the valley are not half the height or length, the general slope is about 3° - 2° - 2° here a large bank & ditch runs across bottom, mould 9 i

I never saw grass slopes so covered with casting. In winter Erny has been this bottom after a sharp thaw with 1 ft to 1 1/2 ft of running water in it He is going to ask shepherd how it is after thunder storm.

N. B. Erny is the labourer I had with me

- the weather was dry and on slopes of about 18° - to 20° where there were a great quantity of castings, I found very few loose bits, the castings appear as a rule to stick tight as this dry to the grass — I saw several cases where castings had melted away into the ground again

As Erny said, from the enormous quantity of castings if any considerable portion descended the hill, the tops ought all to be bare

Does the castings get a stickiness from passing through the worm?

 

[x]  [CUL-DAR63.115_003]

April 6 1872 [William E. Darwin]

Rifle Valley — next valley beyond Teg Down

[sketch:]transverse section

Valley runs N.W & S.E.

Section across is N.E to S.W at point X on right the ground slopes in opposite direction at ∠3°

at 1 ∠ down valley in question 1° (one degree) depth of mould — 5 3/4 inches

at 2 ∠ is 23° - Do — 2 to 2 1/4[inches]

at 3 bottom of steep slope — Do- 4 3/4 to 5

at 4 ∠ between 3 & 4 between 8° & 9° - Do — 8 3/4 to 9

at 5 30 yards up to the other side — Do — 4 3/4

N. B. To all appearance, this valley has no been touched

 

Mem as to Teg Down on March 28th wind blowing down valley & rain casting flattened down and extended & furrowed in direction of valley

Mem, April 6 Erny (the labourer) and I came to the conclusion that though Teg Down had not been touched for 60 or 70 years as Erny knew for certain, thus some time or other the bottom as shewn by faint lines on each side had some time been broken up.

see between 10 & 11 on the right

 

[x]  [CUL-DAR63.115_004]

[6 words illeg] to get whole worm castings [illeg] with my work [illeg] & vegetable mould where only it is there & are [chalk]

Also if not [2 words illeg] the carbon & oxygen [matter] be burnt out of sich thin layer of mould?

 

[x]  [CUL-DAR63.112]

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.

 

[x]  [CUL-DAR63.21]

March 29/72

After & during very Heavy rain & storm, William saw castings in valley near Winchester all drawn out & chalked furrowed on surface in direction of wind, which was down a steep-sided valley, so that the castings had travelled on slope along the line of valley

[in margin:] no

 

[x]  [CUL-DAR63.113-114_001]

March 30/72

[in margin:]Bear on Disintegration Habits & Teg Down

I have been considering again William's section of Teg Down & looking at the earth. High up on slopes & on sides on each side the mould only 3-4 inches thick & very black & contains very little or even no carb. of lime, ie does not effervesce.

 

[insertion:]Can a supply of Earth come slowly for that downs above — if they are flat Downs above

 

So that if there is several washing down how is it formed? If much adding worms burrowing into chalk it wd contain as much carb. of lime — On other hand the castings when turn on surface wd have been dissolved — Yet. W.[William] is convinced as I am that there is much washing down. — This rather greater thickness of mould at bottom of valley agrees with them, & the percolation of mould elsewhere into the chalk. — In fact when mould only few inches thick many castings & then quite black; & here we hope evidence, as I had in my field over red clay This

 

[x]  [CUL-DAR63.113-114_002]

that worms live almost exclusively in surface — In certain considerable spaces of the valley the castings & the mould whitish & chiefly formed of C. of Lime. — What can make the worms percolate the chalk in these spaces alone?

I buried leaves in Garden 6 weeks ago & lately looked at then, all rotted & worms abounded; Frank finds bits of bark & straw in gizzard so that I believe they certainly select decaying veg. matter & swallow so much Earth at least in large part, as means of burrowing. This shown by what I saw, when pressing up through 23 inches of yellow sand on sand-walk & better by the 6 wider over floor in Beaulieu abbey. — W. washed the castings several times so as to remove all mud & out of 33 gr of castings brought up beneath the tiles from rubbish below 19 gr.

 

["Beaulieu Abbey, Hampshire. This abbey was destroyed by Henry VIII., and there now remains only a portion of the southern aisle-wall." Earthworms, p. 193.]

 

[x]  [CUL-DAR63.113-114_003]

consisted of minute particles of quartz & other rocks; (perhaps from disintegrated mortar) Some of the fragments of slaty rock was between 1/10 & 1/20 of inch in length & vast numbers were 1/10 of inch in diameter. The larger proportion of grains of quartz & rock [unite] castings & their size shows that the casting are largely due to the means & act of burrowing. — It was remarkable that some few grains, consisted of brick & were well rounded & thus moist. I think be due to action of the muscular gizzard of the worms; & considering how much matter annually passing through their alimentary canal, thus triturating action in the formation of the finest mould ought not to be quite [implanted] considering the disintegration of mushy beneath the turf.

 

[x]  [CUL-DAR64.2.26]

March 30. 72

Conclusion

The block of earth which when damp was 211.44 cubic inches & which when dry shrank to 180. g do. was broken up into powder & minute particles, & then measured 130 inches ounces = 225. 2851 cubic inches.

Therefore in measuring dry castings, though they would suck when [illeg] becoming 10 per cent, but when measuring in glass & forceful odour they are packed much less closely than in the natural mould, which consist of castings spread out slowly by rain; & George have ascertained the rising of the ground thus calculated must be reduced by 1/16 — so that if by measurement in ground rose 1 inch in 10 years, it could really rise 1/16 of an inch less than the % inch.

 

[x]  [CUL-DAR64.2.27]

[undated]

Frank subtracts 1/16 of thickness from the 2 following layers.

Terrace .0961200 inch in thickness

1/16 = .0060075

15/15 = .0901125

 

Common .1524 inch in thickness

.009525

.142875 = 15/16

 

[x]  [CUL-DAR64.1.5]

Down

1872[Aug 7th]Worms

After longish interval, when there were no castings in open places, now Aug 7th worms have begun to work again on open lawn. —

Aug 10-20 I observe on open field plenty of fresh castings at Leith Hill. — The height of which Lucy made her [illeg] is about 700 ft, on open common land, but not near the Tower.

Keep for Habit.

 

[At the start of 1872, Darwin wrote to his niece Lucy Caroline Wedgwood (1846-1919) asking her to "have a try with straight blunt knitting needle to ascertain, whether on steep slopes the worms come to surface at nearly right angles to the slope, or at nearly right angles to the horizon". Within two weeks, Lucy produced some results and praised her saying "You are worth your weight in Gold".]

 

[x]  [CUL-DAR65.25_002]

Oct 22d 1872 Knole (Habit)

In the great beech forests from one to 200 yrs old there is no vegetation, & I cd not find a single casting: how different from the oak woods, near Down. (a) But From ancient & obscure traces in the forest the ground must have been once cultivated & if ploughed, it is intelligible that the surface is scattered over with stones & it is interesting that these stones still are everywhere on the surface, & have not been covered up with a layer of mould; yet the surface is most thickly covered & has been annually with matted leaves. There is no sign of the surface being m. washed by rain, as is explained by the thick covering of branches & dead leaves.

 

[x]  [CUL-DAR63.81-82_001]

Knole

Oct 22. 1872 Worms

After several wet days & much rain last night, almost all the recent castings have subsided; & those on the steep slopes even where covered with coarse grass, have manifestly flowed a little downwards. This was manifest from the shape of the smooth, flattened, conical heap, & was proved in some cases in which I found the orifice. These castings had a larger diameter down the slope than transversely. Mem. dry pellet during dry seasons, wind, insects, birds &c. There must be some carrying down, the sole question is, whether enough to produce any desirable effect.

 

[x]  [CUL-DAR63.81-82_002]

Worms

Oct 23d / 72/

3)

Knole — There is artificial bank, behind Rifle largest in Park, the sides of which slope at angle of about 45° or 50°. One side (N) covered with thick, long coarse grass, but worms bring their castings to surface. There & others on opposite side had flowered much down; & other older ones were crumbling & rolling down. There can be no doubt that a steep turf around trenches wd in the course of several centuries become gully [illeg] & slope [illeg] by action of worms.

 

Oct. 24th — Observed innumerable subsided castings, to effect of rain before the 22d, & there exhibited no trace of the external vermiform structure. This last was very conspicuous, as the worms had found through [illeg] & had made first castings on the summit — when a casting has subsided in that more like so much water, no evidence is requisite that when on a slope. even a gentle slope, there must be no flowing down. — [illeg] given evidence

 

[x]  [CUL-DAR64.2.33]

Oct 24[1872]

In year 1852 (ie 20 years ago) part of great turnpike road was enclosed in Park. Miss Wordington remember it was long bare: now it is covered with turf from 3/4 to 2 1/2 inches in thickness — average perhaps 1 1/4 or 1 1/2 in thickness — But I could find no castings on this old road, & this makes me think that after some years a thin layer of Earth must have been spread over the road —

If not I cannot understand the case.

Not worth giving

 

[x]  [CUL-DAR65.25_001]

Oct 25th[1872]

Examined another large & bare forest of Beech & not one casting; nevertheless in one part of another part I did find a few when there was no grass, but the trees perhaps not quite so thick. A very narrow glade ran down to thickest part of forest, & here there was some grass & castings abounded, & so in another place close there was a peninsula of grass in forest & there were many castings. (Above to this come under Stony field)

 

[x]  [CUL-DAR63.23]

Jan 2d 1873

After very heavy late rains & strong wind innumerable cases in my Field of castings with windward side sloping & lee-side steeper or perpendicular or overarching.

Shallow pools of water in my field in depression are decidedly muddy & mud deposited on leaves at bottom; are surrounded by grass, I think must be due to washing of numerous castings

 

[x]  [CUL-DAR63.24]

Ap. 15/73

I see castings on great sand Heap Sand-walk pure reddish sand firmly cemented & part of lawn heap. blackish from below

During winter marked castings on Lawn frost & then has no power of disintegrating them.

 

[x]  [CUL-DAR64.1.10]

Nov 27 74

In bed of sifted cinders strewn all over bottom of a cold foam for plants, earthworm had thrown up their castings though in thickness of 3 1/4 inches.