300 LEECHES. 



of sheep that have fed in marshy grounds. When very 

 numerous, they cause a dropsical swelling of the body, 

 and occasion the disease called the rot. 



TAPE-WORMS derive their name from their great length, 

 and thin and narrow shape. Some of them, extracted 

 from the human intestines, have been known to exceed 

 the length of sixty feet. Their bodies are composed of 

 an immense number of joints. They are able to adhere 

 by means of four little orifices on their head, which are 

 situated below the mouth. These worms are oviparous 

 or multiply their species by eggs. 



EARTH-WORMS bore into and live under the surface of 

 the ground, some of them in earth or mud, and others in 

 the sand of sea-shores. Their bodies are furnished with 

 numerous prickles, curved backward, which the animals 

 are able to erect and depress at pleasure ; and a slimy 

 fluid issues from their bodies. By means of the former 

 it is that they have their motion ; and their passage is of 

 course materially aided by the latter. These animals 

 appear to feed and subsist on the nutritive particles of 

 the earth, mud, or sand, in which they reside. 



The LEECHES are a very numerous tribe. All the 

 species are found either in water or mud. They are of 

 a lengthened shape, but are capable of considerably 

 altering their form by elongation and contraction. They 

 swim with a waving motion, and with great facility. 

 When on solid substances, they move by alternately 

 fixing their head and tail, and extending and drawing 

 up their bodies. They suck the blood of animals, 

 making an orifice, for that purpose, by three sharp teeth, 

 with which their mouth is furnished. Some of the Leeches 



