Page:The Formation of Vegetable Mould through the Action of Worms (1881).djvu/32

latter organ is lined with a smooth thickFig . 1.—Diagram of the alimentary canal of an earth-worm (Lumbricus), copied from Ray Lankester in 'Quart. Journ. of Microscop. Soc.' vol. xv. N.S. pi. vii. chitinous membrane, and is surrounded by weak longitudinal, but by powerful transverse muscles. Perrier saw these muscles in energetic action; and, as be remarks, the trituration of the food must be chiefly effected by this organ, for worms possess no jaws or teeth of any kind. Grains of sand and small stones, from the 1/20 to a little more than the 1/10 inch in diameter, may generally be found in their gizzards and intestines. As it is certain that worms swallow many little stones, independently of those swallowed while excavating their burrows, it is probable that they serve, like mill-stones, to triturate their food. The gizzard opens into the intestine,