tHE HORSE LEECli. ^0 



Genus Xi — Hippobofca. The Horfe Leeclj» 



In the horfe leeches, the roflrum is of a cjlindrical fhape, 

 bivalved, and nodding : the feet are armed with claws ; 

 and it is bj means of thefe inflruments that they adhere 

 to cattle and horfes, in fpite of every cllbrt to rub them 

 off. They abound in Nexu Foreft, Hampjhire, and ren- 

 der it a very uneafy pafture for cows. The horfe leech 

 is covered with a cruftaceous fhell, which renders it diffi- 

 cult to be killed, and gives it the air of fome fpecies of 

 the bugs. 



Hippobofca pedihus pidaciilis, the horfe leech with four 

 talons on each foot. This fpecies is but too generally 

 known, from its hoflilities againft every kind of cattle. 

 It is fo tenacious of life, that it will live for a confider- 

 able while after the head is cut off. The colour of this 

 hippobofca is wholly grey *. There is a fpecies of thefe 

 animals with fix talons on each foot, which is found in 

 fwailows nells ; it is much fmnller in fize, and has the 

 extremity of the abdomen marglnated f. 



* Ricinus volansof M. Frifch, p. 43. | Reaumur, Tome V> 



Vol. III. 3 2, 



