Country diary: Thrilled by Darwin, and the wonder of worms | Lev Parikian
This piece reflects on Charles Darwin's fascination with earthworms and his final book dedicated to their study. It highlights how Darwin's rigorous observation changed the scientific understanding of these creatures.
Why it matters
It provides historical context on the evolution of scientific inquiry and the importance of observing nature's 'lowly' creatures.
An earthworm. ‘They were regarded by many as lowly creatures of the dirt, but Darwin understood their worth.’ Photograph: Alamy An earthworm. ‘They were regarded by many as lowly creatures of the dirt, but Darwin understood their worth.’ Photograph: Alamy Country diary Animals Country diary: Thrilled by Darwin, and the wonder of worms Downe, Kent: It’s hard not to feel the earth move by a visit to the great man’s house. He truly valued these creatures of the dirt
Prefer the Guardian on Google T he garden beds are moistened by steady rain, but the ground is still unyielding. A blackbird hops across bare soil. A dart, a jab, and up it comes – a wriggling tube of pink flesh. A simple catch. But when I rummage in the dirt, my only reward is loam under the fingernails. Perhaps I should have brought a bassoon.
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