The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1895-11-17

Again from the coIlarsing of the old bur-
ment, and its particles rubbed together.
FRESH surfaces are thus exposed 70 the
action of the carbOnic acid in the soil and
70 the humus acids, agents which act
IN the destruction OF stones and rocks.
Moreover, The acid produced in the dlges-
tive tract of the worms Is not all neutral
lied, for the castings have an acid reac-
ton, and this acid acts further in the dis
migration of rocks.
Thus, all the mould covering a field
passes every few years through the boo
les OF worms, and the same fragments arc
probably swallowed and brought TO the
surface many times over in the course
OF centuries. Changes are also produced
in the slopes of hills by the flowing down
OF moist castings and the rolling down OF
dry ones, thus reducing the slope OF the
nils by Accommodations at the bottom. The
castings are also blown repeatedly in one
direction by the prevalent winds. Now,
as layer of earth one-hfth of an inch
thick, or ten tons by weight, has been
calculated IN many places to be brought
annually to the surface per acre, if only
small part of this flows down every in
cltned surface, or is blown repeatedly by
the WIND IN one direction, it is easy to sec
that great change may he produced in
the surface of the land in the course or
ages.
IN consequence of the immense amount
or earth continually being brought to the
surface by worms, it is not difficult to
understand how objects such as stones
rocks, etc, lying on the surface, Will in
course of time become gradually buried
in the ground The worms, undermine
ing the stones, bring up the earth to the
surface, and so raise the ground round
and is eventually buried in the soil, pro-
the edge OF teh stone till the latter sinks
Nlded the soil is suitable for worms to
live in. Darwin showed that in a field
covered with ftnts of various sizes the
smaller ones disappeared in a few years,
and in thirty years all had become buried
owing to the action of worms.
owing TO the burial of stones and other
objects by the action of worms, ancient
monuments, portions of Roman villas,
and other objects of antiquity have been
preserved. These have been gradually
buried by the worms, and so preserved
rom the destructive effect of rain and
wind. Many Roman remains were stud
led by Darwin and traces of the action
of worms found. to which action their
preservation was mainly due. The stTik-
ing OF the foundations of many old build
ings is due to the action of worms, and
no building is safe from this unless the
foundations are laid lower than the level
at Which worms can work, viz, about
eight feet below the surface
Another useful effect produced by
worms is the preparation of the soil for
the growth of seedlings. BY their agency
the soil is periodically siftcd and expos
ed 10 the air, and i'm this way is ableSto
retain moisture and absorb soluble sub
stances of use for the nutrition of plants.
Moreover, bones are buried by the cast
ings and brought within reach of the
roots of plants.
The earthWorm is thus seen to be one
of the best examples which show how
great effects from little causes spring"
This unpleasant looking and Shiny ami
NAL, before the days of Darwin, was
looked upon an entirely useless crea-
ture. except as a bait for fish and as