106 CLASS ANNUL AT A. 



" Earth-worms do considerable mischief to the floricul- 

 turist by drawing the young plants, immediately after 

 they are transplanted, into the earth. In the drainage 

 of lands they are of essential service, penetrating the 

 clay that lies beneath the vegetable mould in every 

 direction, and thus forming numerous small canals to 

 carry off the water into the deep trenches dug by the 

 agriculturist." The author we have already quoted, after 

 concluding this account of the Worm, says, " I would 

 advocate the cause of all creatures, had I the privilege 

 of knowing the excellency of them; not willingly as- 

 signing vague and fanciful claims to excite wonder, or 

 manifesting a base pride by any vaunt of superior obser- 

 vation ; but when we see, blind as we are, that all things 

 are formed in justice, mercy, truth, I would tell my tale 

 as a man, glory as a Christian, and bless the gracious 

 Power that permitted me to obtain this knowledge." 



The Medicinal Leech, (Hirudo medicinalis.) 



The medicinal utility of the Leech seems, even in very 

 remote times, to have been acknowledged by mankind, 

 and accordingly we find it noticed in the writings of 

 many ancient physicians. It was not simply applied to 

 the cases in which it is at present employed, but was 

 recommended to be used in many singular ways: a paste 

 made of the ashes of a burnt leech was said to have the 

 property of removing the hair from any part of the 

 body. It was also employed to suck the blood from a 

 wound occasioned by a mad dog, or any other rabid 

 animal. 



At present the employment of this useful creature is 

 confined to the operation of drawing blood from inflamed 



