a. Zool. [f. as prec. + -OUS.] Inhabiting the ground, not aquatic or aerial; living in the earth; spec. of or belonging to the Terricolæ or earthworms; = TERRICOLE 2.
1835–6. Todd’s Cycl. Anat., I. 167/1. In the terricolous annelida there are no cirri.
1860. Mayne, Expos. Lex., Terricolus,… living on or in the earth, as the Harpalus terricola. Applied by Latreille and Macquart to a group … of the Tipularia which deposit their eggs in the earth…: terricolous.
1877. Huxley, Anat. Inv. Anim., v. 220. In the terricolous forms (Lumbricus) the vast deferentia are continuous with the testes.
1881. Darwin, Veg. Mould, 247. In the same manner as gallinaceous and struthious birds swallow stones to aid in the trituration of their food, so it appears to be with terricolous worms.
