Darwin published the book “The formation of vegetable mould through the action of worms” in the late 1800s.
The book changed people’s perspective on earthworms. It revealed the importance of earthworms in the breakdown of dead plant and animal matter that reaches the soil, and their roles in maintaining soil structure, aeration, drainage and plant fertility.
Most people regarded earthworms as pests which ate their crops before the book was published.
Darwin’s observation on earthworms was so advanced for his time that it wasn’t until half a century later that his observations were scientifically confirmed.
