482 THE ANIMAL PARASITES OF MAN 



Hirudo troctina, Johnston, 1816. 

 Syn. : Hirudo interrupt^ Moq.-Tandon, 1826. 



This species measures 8 to 10 cm. in length. The back is greenish, with six 

 rows of black spots surrounded by red ; the lateral borders are orange-coloured ; 

 the abdomen spotted or unspotted. Its habitat is in North Africa and Sardinia. It 

 is applied medicinally in England, Spain, France, Algeria, etc. 



Genus. Limnatis, Moq.-Tandon, 1826. 



Nearly related to Hirudo, but is differentiated by a longitudinal groove on the 

 inner surface of the upper lip of the anterior sucker. The jaws are furnished with 

 over 100 very sharp toothlets. 



Limnatis nilotica, Savigny, 1820. 



Syn.: Bdella nilotica, Sav. ; L. nilotica, Moq.-Tandon; Hczmopis (vorax), 

 Moq.-Tandon, 1826, p. p. ; Hcemopis sanguisuga, Moq.-Tandon, 1846 (nee Hir. 

 sanguis, Bergm., 1757). 



This species measures 8 to 10 cm. in length, and becomes gradually more 

 pointed towards the front ; the body is always soft. The back is brown or greenish, 

 and has usually six longitudinal rows (rarely only two or four) of black dots. The 

 abdomen is dark ; but numerous colour variations occur. 



The native place is North Africa, especially the coastal regions ; it is also found 

 in the Canaries, the Azores, Syria, Armenia, Turkestan, perhaps also Southern 

 Europe. It is taken into the mouth with drinking water, and may settle in the 

 pharynx, larynx, cesophagus, and nasal cavities of human beings. This species has 

 also been observed in the vagina and on the conjunctiva. It is equally fond of 

 attacking domestic animals. 



Hirudo mysomelas (Senegambia) and Hirudo granulosa (India) are placed with 

 this genus, and, like our leech, are also used for medicinal purposes. 



Genus. Haemadipsa, Tennent, 1861. 



These leeches live on land, and measure 2 to 3 cm. in length. About a dozen 

 species are known. They are a veritable scourge to persons in the tropics (Asia, 

 South America), as they attack them to suck their blood. They are able to force 

 their way even under close-fitting garments, so that it is difficult to protect oneself 

 from their assaults (Hamadipsa ceylonica, Bl., and other species). 



Family. Rhynchobdellidae (Leeches with Rostrum). 



These are furnished with a proboscis in lieu of the jaws ; the segment consists 

 of three annulations. 



Genus. Haementaria, de Filippi, 1849. 



Haementaria officinalis, de Fil. 

 Inhabit Mexico, where they are used for medicinal purposes. 



Genus. Placobdella, R. Blanch. 

 Placobdella catenigera, Moq.-Tandon. 



Indigenous to South Russia, Hungary, Italy and South France. It is a 

 parasite of the swamp turtle, but frequently attacks human beings. 



