is superficially subdivided into several; and usually by their flattened bodies. 

 Unlike the earthv^orms, most of the leeches have retained eyes and jaws. 



For centuries leeches have been used for medicinal purposes. In the nine' 

 teenth century "leech" was a common synonym for doctor. Disease was re- 

 garded as due to "bad blood", which needed to be removed, so that "good" 

 blood could be formed in its place. The more heroic patients patronized the 

 barber'Surgeons, with their lancets and bleeding cups, and the barber's sign of 

 the red-and'white striped pole is said to refer to the blood and bandages. The 

 less courageous used leeches to remove the blood painlessly and less visibly. 

 Napoleon's surgeon-general popularized the use of large numbers at a time, 

 recommending a "cordon of leeches" on the forehead for headache. The 

 local supply running short, France imported leeches by the million from Russia, 

 until even that country had to protect its supply by a law forbidding the taking 

 of leeches during the three summer months when they were breeding. In most 

 European countries leech ponds were built to propagate the animals, and fancy 

 china "leech jars" were available so that each family might keep its medicine 

 chest stocked with live leeches. The three sharp jaws of the leech make a 

 painless, triangular incision, into which it pours a secretion which inhibits the 

 clotting of blood. The medicinal leech of Europe, imported into America for 

 medical purposes and now naturalized in some areas, is capable of taking 

 from onc'half to one ounce of blood at a feeding. The best our native ones 

 can do is about one-fifth of an ounce. When the leech has completed its meal, 

 it drops off. Since it has also withdrawn the anticlotting substance, the wound 

 usually gives no trouble. If the leech be removed before it has finished its 

 meal, the wound may continue to bleed for a long time. 



Leeches, like earthworms, reproduce sexually. The eggs are usually de- 

 posited in cocoons formed by bodily secretions and fall to the bottom of the 

 pond, where they develop into young leeches. The Glossiphonidae bear their 

 eggs and later their young attached to the ventral surface. Most leeches are 

 hermaphroditic. 



Collection of Earthworms 



The larger Lumbricid worms can be collected in quantity on spring nights 

 during or after evening thunder-showers or warm rains. At this time the 

 worms extend most of their bodies from their burrows in search of mates. 

 Most well established lawns prove to be good hunting fields. A small flash' 

 light should be used, or the lens covered with red cellophane, as a bright light 

 alarms the worms, which then snap back into their burrows as though they 

 were stretched rubber bands. A quick grab must be made, for if the worm 

 gets any warning it will brace itself with its setae and the collector will get 

 only a portion or a damaged worm. Heavy rains often flood many of the 



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