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Show 124 HABITS OF WORMS. CHAP. U. largest received by 1ne was 3~ inc he · in height and 1·35 inch in diameter; another Fi~. 3. A tower-like casting, probably ejecterl by a species of Perichrota from the Botanic Garden, Calcutta: of natural size, engraved from a photograph. was only i inch in diameter and 2! in height. CHAP. II. '!'HEIR WIDE DIS'l'IUBU'l'ION. 125 In the following year, Mr. Scott measured everal of the largest; on0 was U inches in height and nearly 1! in diameter: two others were 5 inches in height and respectively 2 and rather more than 2~ inches in diameter. r_rhe average weight of the 22 castings sent to me was 35 grammes (1! oz.); and one of them weighed 44·8 grammcs (or 2 oz.). All these castings were thrown up either in one night 0r in two. \\rhere the ground in Bengal is dry, as under large trees, castings of a different kind are found in vast numbers : these consist of little oval or conical bodies, from about the -r}-0 to rather above T~ of an inch in length. They are obviously voided by a distinct species of worms. The period during which worms near Calcutta display such extraordinary activity lasts for only a little over two months, namely, during the cool Reason after the rains. At this time they are generally found within about 10 inches beneath the surface. During the hot season they burrow to a greater depth, and are then found coiled up and apparently hybernating. Mr. Scott has never seen them at a greater depth than 2~ feet, but has heard |