The Earthworm and Housefly
by
James Samuelson and J. Braxton Hicks
1860

LETTER I Introductory Page 1
LETTER II The Class "Vermes" and its subdivision into orders.
Lumbricus terrestris, the common Earthworm.
Its Form.
Members of Locomotion.
Mouth.
Aliment.
Nature of Worm-Castings.
Digestive Organs.
Circulating Apparatus.
Nervous System.
Page 8
LETTER III Mode of Reproduction in the Earthworm.
Its Habits.
Dwelling.
Uses in the Formation of the Surface Soil.
Conclusion.
Page 17
LETTER IV Cuvier's Classification of Annelides and Insects.
Guides to a Systematic Arrangement of Animals.
Affinities between the Worm and Fly.
Classification of Insecta, and the position of the House-fly (Musca domestica) in the Class.
General Consideration of the Fly's Form and Structure.
Page 26
LETTER V The Antennae or Feelers of the Fly; their Structure; and various theories regarding their Functions.
The Eyes, compound and simple; their Structure and Uses.
Page 34
LETTER VI The Mouth of Insects.
The Proboscis of the Fly.
The Members of Locomotion.
Wings; their Structure.
Wonderful Rapidity of Flight.
Halteres or Poisers; their Anatomy and supposed Function.
The Legs.
Remarkable Organization of the Fly's Foot.
Repetition of similar parts in the organs described.
Page 43
LETTER VII The Anatomy of the Fly.
Its Organs of Digestion; of Circulation; of Respiration.
Wonderful Structure of the Spiracles, or Breathing-holes; and Tracheae, or Respiratory Tubes.
Nrevous System.
Considerations upon the Nervous System of the House-fly, as compared with that of its Larva and of the Worm.
Page 54
LETTER VIII Life-History of the Fly.
Organs of Reproduction.
Mode of Depositing its Eggs.
Table showing its remarkable Reproductive Powers.
The Larva; the Pupa; Transformations
The perfect Fly; its Habits.
Strange fatal Disease to which it is subject.
Its uses as a sanatory agent, &c.
Transformation of Matter in the Animal Creation.
Reflections upon Geological Facts in connexion with the Fly.
Conclusion.
Page 64

Go to Page Index
Go to Front Page
Go to First Page