...reptiles . . . have much more influence in the oeconomy of nature, than the incurious are aware of ... Earth-worms, though in appearance a small and despicable link in the chain of nature, yet, if lost, would 41. Thomas Bewick, A History of British Birds, edition of 1809, vol. I, Land Birds; tailpiece to article...

...consequence and have much more influence in the economy of nature than the incurious are aware of. Earthworms, though in appearance a small and despicable...almost entirely supported by them, worms seem to be the great promoters of vegetation, which would proceed but lamely without them, by boring, perforating,...

...anticipated Darwin by a century in his notice of these creatures, which he introduces by saying, " earthworms, though in appearance a small and despicable...nature, yet, if lost, would make a lamentable chasm." In a series of letters to his friends, charmingly written, White gives all his observations, often...

...an object of attention ; and from their numbers and fecundity. Earth-worms, though in appearance n small and despicable link in the chain of nature, yet if lost would make a lamentable chasm . . . worms seem to be the great promoters of vegetation, which would proceed but tamely without them,...

...Their minuteness renders earth-vrorms less an object of attention, but their numbers and fecundity, though in appearance a small and despicable link in the chain of nature, yet, if lost, they would make a lamentable cbasm." Even the turnip fly, which haunts the stock farmers' fields, has...