192 The Irish Naturalist. [August, 



pale amber, or orange. The gastric caeca are frequently visible with the 

 naked eye owing to the transparency of the bod}-, especially as they be- 

 come of a bright vermilion colour after the leech has fed. The back is 

 sprinkled with numerous minute, brownish spots, sometimes arranged in 

 lines. It rarely exceeds half an inch in length. This species is very 

 inactive and rolls itself partly up when handled. 



Thompson records this leech from the neighbourhood of Belfast, I 

 have taken it at Clonbrock (Co. Galway) and Mr. Langham has found it 

 at Tempo (Fermanagh). 



Clossiplionia coiTipIanata(Iv) 



Glossipora tiibercuiatay Thomps. 



This species agrees with G. heteroclita in the possession of six eyes, but it 

 is less transparent than the last. Its colour is very variable — as a rule it 

 is greenish or brownish. G. complanata may be distinguished from C 

 heteroclita by its tubercles which are in rows. Two very distinct rows of 

 dark papillae run down the middle of the back. It grows to a length of 

 about an inch. 



This is one of the commonest species and has been collected at Dingle 

 and Ventry, Co. Kerry (F, & F. Comm.) ; at Tempo, Co. F'ermauagh 

 (C. Ivangham) ; Clonbrock, Co. Galway (ScharfFj ; Cash el, Co, Tipperar}' 

 (Miss Kelsall) ; Lough Neagh and Coleraine (Thompson) ; Holywood 

 and Belfast (Templeton) ; Downpatrick (R. Welch). In the County 

 Dublin I have found it in almost ever}- pond and ditch. 



Hemiclepsis tessellata (Mull.) 

 Erpobdella tessulata, Thomps. 



According to Dr. Blanchard, Thompson's Glossiphonia Eachana (S, p. 425) 

 is probably only a variet}- of this species. It is the largest and most 

 active of the Glossiphoniidcc. It may be at once recognised by its large 

 posterior sucker which is provided all round the margin with light spots. 

 Similarly, spots are found along the margin of the body which is greenish 

 or brownish in colour with 2-6 series of yellow markings along the back. 

 Many colour variations occur. It grows up to a length of 2 inches and 

 there are always S eves. 



This leech is rare in FCurope according to Dr. Blanchard, and this 

 agrees with my experience in Ireland, where it has only been obtained 

 in a few localities, viz., Lough Neagh (Thomps.); Clonbrock (ScharfF) ; 

 Santry, Co. Dublin (Halbert) ; Glenomeragh, Co. Clare (F. and F. C.) 



