Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1920-05-29
UNAPPRECIATED FRIENDS
.BV H. AddingtOn Bruce

T AVE you ever studied the ways or an
tt earth worm? Probably not, for most
4 Il people have profound dislike for earth
worms, deeming them unpleasant looking nui-
Sances, fit only for bait.
Yet earth worms are actually among the
most useful friends anL greatest benefactors
of the human race.
If it were not for earth worms the vegeta-
ton Of the world would be scant indeed. They
plough the soil, they fertilize it, they loosen
it about roots, they even play a part in the
planting Of trees.
Their castings on hill slopes carried down
by wind and rain, go to enrich the bottom
lands of valleys. They level inequalities to
make possible the wide eXpanses of smooth,
yerdant turf pleasing to the eye and refresh
ing to the SOUL
So varied and serviceable are their benefit
cent activities that that greatest Of all natu-
ralists, Charles Darwin, once declared in
speaking Of earth worms:
cit may be doubted whether there are
many other animals which have played such
an important part in the history of the world
as these IoWly organized creatures.
Don't you think that your estimate Of
earth worms had better be revised upward?
And as with them, so with bats, which also,
imagine, you heartily despise-and of which
you perhaps stand in some fear.
''Nasty, clingy, clammy things, of not the
slightest good whatever!" is the common YER
dict concerning bats. And, without doubt,
it is scarcely pleasant to have them come
laundering near ones head.
Yet, like earth worms, they are faithful
friends of and workers for man.
The earth would be far more crowded with
insect pests if it were not for the tireless
efforts of bats. In especial, they are prodig
ious hunters of the baneful, disease-spreading
mosquito.
Many a winged malaria carrier has been
cut short in his dread career by the timely
Intervention of some bat. Defenders of the
public health is what bats may truly be
termed.
Notable as a mosquito hunter, too, is an
other unappreciated friend of man, the drag
on fly, so mistakenly dreaded because of it's
really ferocious aspect as it goes darling
through the air.
Devils darning needless is the name that
aptly expresses the popular misconception Of
dragon flies. Nursery legend to the contrary
Notwithstanding, they do not seu up the ears
of sleeping children. Nor have they a terri
BILE sting.
They have no sting at all. They are alb
solutely harmless to man. But they death
to mosquitoes.
And to this little list Of unappreciated
friends let me add the good old toad, who, for
all his uglness, is beneficence incarnated so
far as concerns humankind.
Favored is the garden wherein a toad
makes his home. In three months, it has
been calculated he can put a quietus to ten
thousands insects. Here is portion Of his
bill Of fare:
Beetles, snails, grasshoppers, crickets, wee
wills, caterpillars, wasps, and yellow Jackets.
All of these we can easily do without, and
to their destroyer we may we'll feel grateful.
Certainly, at all events, we can and should
refrain from doing any harm to our friend
the toad and those other friends we are too
prone to hold in adherence.
And we should see to it that our children
do not harm them
Copyright 1920, by The Associated News
papers.)