XXII. 



THE LEECH INDUSTRY AND TREPANG FISHERY. 

 BY RICHARD EATHBUN. 



1. THE LEECH INDUSTRY. 



HISTORY AND PRESENT CONDITION OF THE LEECH TRADE OF THE UNITED 



STATES. 



INTRODUCTION. Prior to 1839 there was no regular import trade of European leeches into 

 this country, but sea-captains were accustomed to bring them in occasionally in small quantities, 

 on private speculation. Leechers were, therefore, obliged to depend largely on the native leech 

 for drawing blood, and during the early part of the century the American species was in consider- 

 able demand. Although this species (MacroMella decora) is quite widely distributed, the principal 

 source of supply appears to have been, as it is now, Eastern Pennsylvania, and especially Berks 

 and Bucks Counties. 



COMPARATIVE MERITS AND USES OF EUROPEAN AND AMERICAN LEECHES. As already 

 stated, in discussing the natural history of leeches, the European species is much superior to the 

 American for most purposes, but during the earlier periods of importation of the former, the 

 prices charged for it were so high that the American leech held its ground for a time. Gradu- 

 ally, however, prices have fallen, until now, although the European leech is still more expensive 

 than the native, its cost is so slight comparatively that it is almost universally employed, excepting 

 in special cases, and in a few localities where the American leech is preferred. No American 

 leeches, we believe, are now used either in or about New York City or Boston, but in Philadelphia 

 they are still in slight demand. In fact, the latter city appears to have held to the old custom of 

 leeching more than any other American city of which we have information. 



HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN IMPORT TRADE. In 1839 the first regular leech importing house 

 of the country, that of Mr. Herman Witte, was established in New York City, and from that time 

 until about 1856 the import trade in leeches rapidly increased. The number of leeches received 

 from Europe by Mr. Witte in the latter year was about 500,000, and his sales per month amounted 

 at times to 50,000 leeches. At the same time the importing house of Paturel & Co., in New 

 York, was receiving 300,000 a year, making the total annual receipts during the few years of 

 that period 800,000. The wholesale prices then and in the few preceding years ranged from $80 

 to $100 per one thousand. Assuming the average price to have been $90 per thousand, the value 

 of leeches imported in 1856 and thereabouts was $72,000 annually. 



Since 1856 the use of leeches has gradually diminished, and the import trade is now only about 

 one-seventh in value what it was then ; the wholesale prices have also fallen off to from $25 to 



$50 per thousand. 



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