THE MEDICINAL LEECH. $%$ 



most easily caught by the light of a lantern in the 

 night, atter heavy showers, on grass walks and sheep 

 pastures, where the herbage is short. 



In winter these worms retire very deep into the 

 earth, to secure themselves from being frozen. They 

 do not become torpid during this season, for in the 

 intervals of mild weather they are often observed to 

 throw up their casts, as usual at other times of the 

 year. 



THE LEECHES. 



The body of the Leech is oblong and truncate, 

 or as if cut off at both ends. These animals are 

 cartilaginous, and move by dilating the head and 

 tail, and contracting themselves into the form of an 

 arch. 



Some species are viviparous, others lay their 

 eggs on aquatic plants, and others carry them under 

 their belly. Each egg contains many young ones. 

 Several of the smaller species may be multiplied by 

 cutting. 



THE MEDICINAL LEECH* 



Is usually found in stagnant ponds and ditches, 

 and is of an olive black colour, with six yellowish 

 lines above, and spotted with yellow beneath. It 



* Synonyms. — Hirudo medicinalis. Linn.— Common leech. 



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