206 UTILIZATION OF MINUTE LIFE. 



A worm which has attracted considerable atten- 

 tion lately, and by rearing of which large sums 

 have been realized in France, is the leech (Hirudo 

 medicinalis, L.) 



Leeches are remarkable for their peculiar tri- 

 angular mouth, which is provided with a lip, and 

 their ten eyes. At the other extremity of their 

 worm- shaped and extensible body is seen a kind of 

 sucker, by which they adhere firmly to objects 

 under water, whilst their head moves about in all 

 directions. In many species two rows of pores are 

 observed underneath the body ; these pores are the 

 orifices of so many small pouches, which constitute 

 the animal's breathing apparatus. 



The medicinal leech (H. medicinalis, L.), used for 

 bleeding, is generally of a blackish colour, striped 

 with yellow lines above and spotted yellow stripes 

 beneath. It is found in all the still fresh-waters of 

 Oriental Europe. The horse leech (H. sanguisuga, 

 L.) is much larger, and of a greenish-black colour. 

 It is common in our fresh stagnant waters. 



The former species, H. medicinalis, has alone 

 been submitted to special culture. In the countries 

 where it is bred, it is reared in marshes specially 

 adapted to that purpose ; and until very recently 

 its nourishment was derived from old worn-out 

 horses, which, instead of being left to graze away 

 in peace the last days of the weary life which they 



