Word-Worm

A word-worm is not a worm at all, but a sort of centipede-like creature which can grow up to ten feet long, has large, sharp mandibles, a nasty temperament, and eats books.   Its scientific name is Bibliopendra discipula, but the Synthates and the Consensi have been using strategically placed word-worm larvae for so long to systematically destroy literature which they feel to be out of line with their own vision of what the Gri'x should become that the slang term caught on.   Word-worms are not allowed in the Gri'x Public Library—there's even a sign out front by the information desk with big red letters to that effect—but as it's fairly easy to smuggle a few word-worm eggs in one's pockets, and the Infinite Stacks are so immensely infinite that the Library staff cannot possibly monitor what every patron is doing back there at all times (nor would they wish to), and a few of the creatures do hatch now and then. The Library employs a dedicated extermination team who spend each day combing through the shelves for word-worm larva, destroying every hatchling they find.   Which is really too bad, as it's actually only the larval form of these beasts which poses the threat to the books (and anyone else they encounter). If a word-worm manages to make it to adulthood, it can subside just fine on lettuce and bits of fruit from then on, and its consciousness tends to be an amalgamation of all the passages it digested during its growth phase. These full-grown specimen often become professors, poets, psychologists, or exceptionally effective Fragmentist operatives.   A full-grown word-worm can produce thousands of eggs per year, and will be pleased if even one or two of them make it to maturity. They leave their eggs in clutches wherever they happen to be at the moment of birth. They make no effort to raise their children themselves, as the larva, as noted above, are giant, ill-tempered monsters with very sharp teeth which will gladly bite down on anything that gets between them and their food, including other word-worms.