These bristles point backwards⁵. If we move a finger along the worm from the head to the tail, the body feels quite smooth; but if we gently rub the worm the other way—from the tail to the head—we can easily feel the stiff bristles.

这些刚毛朝向后方。用一根手指从蚯蚓的头部摸向其尾部, 就会感觉它的身体非常光滑；然而, 如果我们换个方向来抚摸蚯蚓（从尾部到头部）, 就很容易感觉到它身上的坚硬刚毛。

The earth-worm's body is very elastic⁶. It pushes its head forward in the direction in which it wants to go; it then sticks into the soil the bristles which are near the head, and pulls forward the rest of its body.

蚯蚓的身体非常灵活。如果它想朝某个方向前进, 就会将头部指向那里, 然后把头部附近的刚毛插入土壤中向前推动身体。

The body of the earth-worm is covered with slime , which helps it to burrow in the ground, for its wet slimy body passes easily through the soft earth.

蚯蚓的身体外包裹着粘液, 这样可以帮助它在泥土中钻行, 因为黏滑、湿润的身体能够轻松地在柔软的泥土中穿梭。

A great many worms live in the soil of every field and garden. If you wish to see how many worms there are, you should go out into your garden or to a grassy⁷ lawn on a warm, damp evening after dark, and take a lantern with you. Then you will see perhaps hundreds of worms, each keeping just the end of its tail in its hole or burrow, and moving its head and body about in search of water and food. You must step very softly; for if the earthworms hear you coming, they will quickly pull themselves back into their holes with a sudden start, as if their bodies were elastic bands.

每一片田野与花园的土壤中都生活着许多蚯蚓。如果你想看看多到什么程度, 就应该挑选一个温暖、潮湿的夜晚, 打着灯笼走到花园或者茂盛的草丛中。然后你大概就能看到数百条蚯蚓, 尾巴都在洞中, 头部与身体却在到处移动, 寻找水与食物。你必须要轻轻落下脚步, 因为它们一旦发现你靠近的话就会立刻缩回到洞中, 像弹簧一般迅速。

Worms are eaten by birds when they come to the top of the ground, and they are chased and eaten by moles⁸ when they burrow under it. It was said of a good man that he "would not hurt a worm. " I hope that no child who reads this book will ever wantonly injure these harmless and very useful little creatures.

当蚯蚓爬到地面上的时候, 鸟儿就会捕食它们；当它们蜷缩在土壤中的时候, 鼹鼠又会对它们展开搜捕。善良的人“连虫子都不忍心伤害”。我希望读到这本书的孩子们, 都不会故意去伤害这种没有害处却又十分有用的小生灵。