Woodword, emigramus, tapeworm, lice, larinus, recinus, usia and cumex, Rochester Bestiary, c.1230

"Leaders of the blind, who refine the gnat and swallow the camel." This phrase emphasises the irony of focusing on minor issues while neglecting major ones. Unlike snakes, worms do not move with a sinuous motion but rather extend and contract their body in a straight line, wriggling and gliding in a more segmented manner.

The Greeks referred to woodworms as τερηδών (teridón), derived from τῆραι (tĕrĕre), meaning to gnaw or to wear out, reflecting their habit of consuming wood. In Latin, these are called tarmĭtes.

Emigramus or hēmĭcrānus are types of head worms, while lumbrīcus denotes the tapeworm, commonly found in the intestines. Pēdĭcŭli refers to lice, named after pĕdĭcŭlus ("little foot"), and those infested are known as pēdĭcŭlōsi. Larinus is a worm associated with lard and racinus is a dog worm found in the ears of dogs, with κύων/kýōn being the Greek word for dog. Usia is a pig worm that causes intense burning and blistering. The cumex is named after a plant with a foul smell and is known for its presence in decaying flesh.