NORTH AMERICAN FRESH-WATER LEECHES. 677 



der in full extension, very little depressed, most so posteriorly, often round 

 and tapering anteriorly. Montli large, nearly circular, subterminal ; the 

 upper lip, in contraction, short and rounded; within the oBsophagus are 

 three conspicuous folds. Ocelli eight, small, nearly equal, blackish, con- 

 spicuous ; two pairs, a little apart, on the first ring of the head ; two 

 pairs, wider apart and farther back, on the third ring. Color, bright 

 brick red when living; the preserved specimens show numerous faint 

 longitudinal lines of brown. 



In 8 to 13 fathoms, south side of Saint Ignace, Lake Superior — S. I. 

 Smith. 



A small specimen, probably the young of this species, taken in 13 to 

 15 ftithoms, in Simmons' Harbor, was translucent, tinged with flesh-color, 

 with a dark brown intestinal line posteriorly. 



Egg-capsules, apparently of this species, were found in August by Mr. 

 Smith, attached to the leaves of Nuplia, in a small lake near Simmons 

 Harbor. These are broad-oval or elliptical, above smooth and convex, 

 translucent yellowish brown, with a thin, flat, lighter border, each end 

 prolonged slightly into a short tubular neck, with a terminal orifice 

 Lower surface flat. Each contained two, three, or more young leeches, 

 mostly upward of half an inch long, plain whitish, with eight distinct 

 black ocelli. The largest -capsule was 11""".5 long by 9""" wide, includ- 

 ing the margin; the smallest was 9™™.5 long by 7""".5 wide. These cap- 

 sules closely resemble those of Nej^helopsis obscura, but' are larger than 

 those that were found to belong to that species. 



This species approaches Nephelopsis in several characters, and espe- 

 cially in having eight distinct ocelli. When more specimens, and of 

 larger size, can be examined, it may prove to be a true J^ephelopsis. 



Clepsine Savigny. 



This genus is very abundantly represented in our waters, both in in- 

 dividuals and species. All of these species are apt to be quite variable 

 in character in different localities, as well as at different periods of 

 growth. Most of the species are elegantly, and some are quite brill- 

 iantly colored, but the colors are often quite variable in the species, and 

 cannot be relied upon for distinguishing them without other characters 

 of more importance. The form varies extremely, according to the state 

 of contraction or extension. They are most frequently found adhering 

 to the under surfaces of floating logs and old pieces of boards, or be- 

 neath the loosened bark of submerged branches and trunks of decaying 

 trees. Occasionally, they adhere to the lower surface of larger leeches, 

 turtles, or other animals, but they probably never suck blood. They 

 feed upon insect larvie, small worms, moUusks, &g. When disturbed, 

 these species curl themselves up after the manner of " pill-bugs " and 

 certain insect larvae. The eggs, when laid, are retained in a cluster be- 

 neath the expanded and concave posterior portion of the body, which 

 is arched over them and kept in continuous undulatory motion during 



