PARASITI.> 12-M 



LER.V.CA. Plate 1.XVI1 



Tin- preerdini: animals are not the only instrument* of torment 

 tolerated I >v Nature, tor the annoyance and destruction of living crea- 

 ture.-. There are (itlit-r still more terrible ami more irresistible enemies 

 preying upon them, agaiu.-t \\lucli they do not seem to have any possible 

 means of defending themselves: for they attack different part* of the 

 bod\ . when- they are quite inaccessible to any organs of the sufferer. 



LEBN.EA BRAM IIIAI.IS. Plate LXV11 



This is a parasite of the must irresistible and destructive kind by 

 whieh any living U-ing can be infested, and it assumes a position where 

 it is ii'it only safe from all endeavours to shake it off, but it can scarcely 

 be dislodged by means of sharp instruments, when the fleshy part to which 

 it adheres is separated. Plate I.X V 1 1. figs. 2, 8, 4, 5. Its singular shape 

 precludes the powers of description ; it can be understood best only 

 from inspection of the original, and m-xt from the figures here presented. 

 especially Plate I. XV II. fig. 2, whieh -lightly exceeds the natural si/ 



The whole exterior is of a hard, horny substance ; but, in fact, what 

 ever be the substance, it resolves into a strong vascular body comprising 

 the Lerrura, which is continually replenished with the blood of its victim. 



From an enlargement of the upper extremity, three organs iwue. 

 which are provided with subordinate cruciform or branching parts, 

 ti::. -. ". in-erteil in the fleshy parts of the Cod, or other fish, about the 

 gills, the rest of the body substituted for the intestinal parts of other 

 parasites, being a strong and elastic tubular skin or integument. 



Capacious ovarian tubes, c, ore connected with the under part of the 

 animal ; but I have not been sensible that they were occupied by spawn 

 during any periods of my inspection. 



The whole is of a hard horny, almost shelly substance, but the 

 three organs of fixture obviously belonging to the highest portion, the 

 remainder is merely to be compared to a hollow in test i: 



We cannot discover any motion of the animal, or how the head, 



