earth borer

A form of auger for boring holes in the ground, where the strata are sufficiently soft and loose. The shaft has a screw-point and a cutting-face. The twisted shank revolves inside a cylindrical case, which retains the earth till the tool is withdrawn. The valve opens to admit the earth, and closes as the tool is lifted. [AUGER.] earth-car, s. A car for transporting gravel and stone in railway operations. [DUMPING-CAR.] earth-chestnut, s. Bot.: Bunium flexuosum. (Withering, .) earth-closet, s. A commode or night-stool in which a body of earth receives the fæces, or is dropped upon them to absorb the effluvia; the resultant is to be utilized as a fertilizer.