THE ZOOLOGIST
No. 670.— April, 1897.
THE DORSAL PORES OF EARTHWORMS.
By the Rev. Hilderic Friend,
Author of 'Flowers and Flower-Lore.'
If a specimen of the Common Earthworm is examined, especially after having been preserved for a time in spirits, it will be found that a number of pores exist on the back. They are most readily seen on the girdle as a rule, and look exactly like the holes which result from the puncture of a pin or needle. These openings have been known for a considerable time as the dorsal pores, a name which serves not only to define their position, but also to differentiate them from the other openings which exist on various portions of the worm's body, such as the male or spermiducal pores, the nephridiopores, and the puberty pores (tubercula pubertatis).
It is now many years since these apertures were originally detected. Who first observed them it is impossible to say. Equally difficult would it be to decide who was the first to notice their presence in describing the animals. In 1727 Dr. Derham, Canon of Windsor, wrote a very interesting work entitled 'Physico-Theology,' in which he endeavours to demonstrate "the being and attributes of God from his works of Creation."
He says that under the skin of worms "there lies a slimy juice, that they emit, as occasion is, at certain perforations between the annuli, to lubricate the body, and facilitate their passage into the earth." A little later, however, he shows that a certain Dr.
