LEECH

This name is given to those abranchiate red blooded worms, or anelli dans, which are provided with a sucker at both ends of the body (see Hirudo), and of which we po e a few native species; some frequenting the fresh waters, as the horse leeches {Hcemopis san gui sorb a and H. stagnorum); others the ocean, where they are parasitic upon fishes, as the skate-sucker {Pontobdella muricata). The medicinal leech (Sanguisuga medicinal is) belongs to that subdivision of the family Hirudinidm which is charac terized by having the superior lip of the anterior cup or sucker divided into several segments, and the oral aperture transverse, triradiate, and surrounded by three cartilaginous jaws, each armed with two rows of very fine teeth. This apparatus enables the leech to penetrate the skin so as to ensure a ready flow without causing a dangerous wound. The upper lip is marked with ten small points considered as eyes. The species of the genus Sanguisuga, viz. £. officinal is and S. medicinal is, are most common in the south of France, whence great numbers are exported to this country. The leech-dealers of Bretagne drive horses and cows into the ponds, that the leeches may fatten and propagate more abundantly by sucking their blood. Children are employed to catch them bv the hand; and the grown persons wade into the shallow waters in the spring of the year, and catch the leeches that adhere to their naked legs. They are also taken by a sort of net made of twigs and rushes, which is waters.used in the summer when the leeches retire into the deeper The best method of preserving these valuable little animals is stated by the author of the article " Leech" in the Penny lows: Cyclopedia to be that described by Fee. It is as folInto a marble or stone trough a layer of seven inches of a mixture of mo , turf, and charcoal is to be put, and some small pebbles placed above it; at one extremity of the trough, and midway between the bottom and the top, place a thin plate of marble pierced with numerous small holes, upon which there should rest a stratum of mo , or portions [s. 668]