The Formation of Vegetable Mould through the Action of Worms, with Observations on their Habits

Abstract

IF the world were not already accustomed to the unprecedented fertility of Mr. Darwin's genius, it might well be disposed to marvel at the appearance of yet another work, now added to the magnificent array of those which bear his name. But feelings of wonder at Mr. Darwin's activity have long ago been sated, and most of us have grown to regard his powers of research as belonging to a class sui generis, to which the ordinary measures of working capacity do not apply. Be our feelings of wonder, however, what they may, it is most gratifying to find that this latest work from the hand of our illustrious countryman is in every way worthy of its predecessors. Everywhere throughout the book we meet with the distinctive attributes of Mr. Darwin's mind. Beginning with matters of the most common knowledge, which at first sight appear to furnish the most unpromising material, he proceeds by close observation of details and sagacious manipulation of facts to establish general truths of the most far-reaching importance in directions where we should least have expected any such truths to lie.

The Formation of Vegetable Mould through the Action of Worms, with Observations on their Habits.

By Charles Darwin, (London: John Murray, 1881.)