17* 



TAB. LXVIII. 

 LERNEA Sprattae. 



Class 6. Vermes. Order 2. Mollusca. 



Gen. Char. Body oblong, roundish, naked. Ten- 

 tacula two or threc^, round. Oviducts two. 



Spec. Char. Head with two barbs. Neck notched. 

 Body oblong, red, with two green oviducts. 



Syn. Gmelin, 3144. Muller, tab. 33. 



In November 1799 and 1804, I observed this strange and 

 curious animal fixed to small Sprats, (Clupea Spratta of 

 Linfi.) Its bodv shaped like an oat, and its two green 

 tails, might create an idea of its being a vegetable, but that 

 the body is red, and has a fleshy aspect; yet the unor- 

 ganized appearance is very strange, and sufficient to induce 

 any one desirous of information to examine further. If we 

 are careful we may detach it, but not without wounding the 

 subject it preys upon ; which if we do, so as to kill it, I 

 venture to pronounce it as more merciful than otherwise. 

 This, which I can but consider as a grievous parasite, like 

 a harpoon inflicts a dreadful wound ; but, more fatal than 

 that instrument, not only wounds, but preys upon the in- 

 nermost part of the wretched victim, probing and feeding 

 very deep into any part it pleases. 



VOL. II. *B 



