Movement of eelworms. Iv. The influence of water percolation

A study was made of the relationship between rate of flow of water through sands of different particle size and the downward velocity of eelworms of various lengths and activities. The relationship between rate of flow of water and velocity of eelworms is not linear. For rates of flow less than about 500 cm./hr. the velocity of the eelworms relative to the velocity of water is greater than for flow rates greater than about 500 cm./hr. For rates of flow greater than 500 cm./hr. an equation is derived which relates velocity of eelworms, rate of water flow, length of eelworms and pore diameter in the sand. The following facts were established: the velocity of the eelworms increases as pore diameter increases; the velocity approaches zero when the eelworms' length exceeds four times the pore diameter; the relationship between velocity of eelworm and velocity of water is independent of the eelworms' own activity; the equation of eelworm movement is valid for both continuous and discontinuous saturated flow. With flow rates less than about 500 cm./hr., the velocity of the eelworms increases as the eelworms' activity increases and eelworms appear to pass through smaller pores than at high flow rates. Dead or inactive eelworms do not progress very far in sand even at high flow rates and observations suggest that slight flexing movements of the eelworm body is essential for passage.