Alex,
Many thanks for all the information on Darwin and worms.  I will use this
with my class.
Tita Massie
College of Charleston
----- Original Message -----
From: "Alex Menez" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Sunday, September 14, 2003 1:39 PM
Subject: Re: Darwin and worms


> Art
>
> It is indeed real, and Darwin's last book. Darwin published several papers
> on mould in 1838 and 1840 and the subject, in relation to earthworms, was
a
> lifelong interest of his and one in which he undertook many experiments
(as
> Darwin did with many of his interests). The stone (the 'wormstone') he
used
> for investigating the sinking of the surface layers as a result of
earthworm
> action is still at Down House in Kent. The book sold faster than Origin
and
> sold 6000 in the first year. According to Freeman (1977, Darwin:
> Bibliographical Handlist, Chatham: Dawson & Archon) the first edition (of
> which I am the proud owner of one!) went to press on May 1, 1881 and was
> published October 10. The work appeared in America in 1882 (in the USA
form
> of the International Scientific Series). The first edition was published
in
> London by John Murray and the full title is 'The formation of vegetable
> mould, through the action of worms, with observations on their habits'.
>
> As usual in Darwin's works, there are ideas which he puts forward which
more
> than 100 years later are still completely valid and form parts of many
areas
> in natural sciences (see also parts of Origin relating to distributions
> etc.) which are still applicable. I love this passage (from the
conclusion):
> 'The plough is one of the most ancient and most valuable of man's
> inventions; but long before he existed the land was in fact regularly
> ploughed, and still continues to be thus ploughed by earth-worms. It may
be
> doubted whether there are many other animals which have played so
important
> a part in the history of the world, as have these lowly organised
> creatures.'
>
> If you read Darwin's works (including successive editions of Origin) you
can
> understand how his thoughts on some particular areas changed and developed
> (I was going to say evolved, but that would be too corny!). His last book
> seems very appropriate when viewed in the context of other works, it
brings
> everything  full circle back to worms (you'll understand this when you
look
> at the famous cartoon published by Punch), a good start, and end, to the
> works of the most influential natural historian of all time.
>
> Hope this helps
>
> Alex
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: <[log in to unmask]>
> To: <[log in to unmask]>
> Sent: Saturday, September 13, 2003 2:21 AM
> Subject: Darwin
>
>
> >     It is a matter of either common knowledge or urban myth that between
> his books on evolution, Charles Darwin is supposed to have written a book
> about Earthworms. I have never met anyone who has read or even seen this
> publication.
> >    Do any of you know a title? Have any of you read such a book? Is it
> real?
> >     The Question Man
> >
> > PLEASE NOTE: My new, long-term, and correct email address is:
> [log in to unmask] Please update your records!