AND THE MALAY STATES 



35 



There is also the leech. It lives, not in the water, but in the grass, 

 and in the jungle. When exercising on an empty stomach, it is very 

 small, about the diameter of a knitting-needle, and from one-half to 

 one and one-half inches in length. On hearing footsteps, it hastens 

 toward the sound, getting over the ground at a surprising rate of speed 

 for so tiny a creature, and without hesitation attacks instantly. If left 

 to themselves, they fill themselves with blood, swelling to the size of 

 one's little finger, and then drop off. Nor does this end the incident, 

 for during their meal they inject something into the veins, which keeps 



YOUNG HEVEA TREES. 



[Planted among tea along a watercourse, in Kalatura.] 



the blood from clotting, and the wound therefore remains open and goes 

 on bleeding. If roughly removed during feeding, it is very apt to leave 

 its teeth in the wound, which causes inflammation, and, in some cases, 

 troublesome sores. The best way to treat them is to wear close-knit 

 stockings, into which the lower ends of the trouser legs should be 

 tucked. This keeps most of them off, but if they do get on one, a few 

 drops squeezed from a fresh lime makes them let go at once. Many of 

 the natives, who expect to encounter leeches, carry a lime or two with 

 them. Others simply pull them off, and take the chance of having an 

 inflamed wound. In certain districts these leeches are a great pest, but 

 as the land comes under cultivation, they gradually disappear. It is said 



