The earthworm and the common housefly : in eight letters / by James Samuelson ; assisted by J. Braxton Hicks.

  • Samuelson, James, 1829-1919.
Date:
1860
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The earthworm and the common housefly : in eight letters / by James Samuelson ; assisted by J. Braxton Hicks. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    22/134 (page 8)
    HUMBLE CREATURES. LETTER II. THK CLASS VERMES AND ITS SUBDIVISION INTO ORDERS.— LUMBRICU8 TERRESTIIIS, THE COMMON EARTHWORM.—ITS FORM.—MEMBERS OF LOCOMOTION.—MOUTH.—ALIMENT.— NATURE OF WORM-CASTINGS.—DIGESTIVE ORGANS.—CIRCU- LATING APPARATUS.—NERVOUS SYSTEM. Few persons liave a correct idea of the extent of that group of animals known as the “ Vermes ” or Worms. Many, whose acquaintance with zoology is very limited, believe the use of the term to be restricted to the Earthworm, and intestinal worms, such as the Tapeworm, and the Ascarides, or small round worm of infants; others again, although aware that these creatures do not alone constitute the class, know little of the remaining forms which it contains. Let us therefore, whilst treating of this portion of the subject, endeavour to form some general idea of the whole class, and inquire what are its distinguishing characteristics. The “ Vermes,” which occupy a distinct position in the Animal Kingdom, have soft elongated bodies, possessing neither an internal skeleton, as we find in the vcrtebrated animals, nor (as a general rule)