STATEMENT 



The material, notes and models upon which this report is basd 

 are stord in the Department of Animal Biology of the University of 

 Minnesota. All of the material was collected in Minnesota by and 

 under the direction of the Zoologist of the Geological and Natural His- 

 tory Survey of Minnesota. 



The original plan of the report contemplated a full account of 

 the habits, gross and minute structure, development and relationships 

 of the leeches in general and a classification of the leeches of Minne- 

 sota. 



Professor Moore's report on the material sent to him for identifi- 

 cation and description was receivd several years ago. but the publica- 

 tion of it could not be undertaken at that time. Shortly afterward 

 Dr. Hemingway completed his thesis on Placobdella pediculata. It 

 was then decided to add this thesis as a unit because it treats of a new 

 species parasititc on one of our food fishes. The comprehensiv bibliog- 

 rafy prepare! by Hemingway in connection with his work has been 

 omitted and the general account, the anatomy, histology and embryol- 

 ogy of leeches, has been reducd to very general terms. 



This report on the leeches of Minnesota contains: — 1) A gen- 

 eral part, — the habits, economic importance, anatomy, development 

 and relationships of leeches; 2) A special part, — an account of the 

 anatomy of a new species found parasitic on one of our river 

 fishes : 3) A systematic part, — a key to and descriptions of the 

 species collected in Minnesota together with an account of their 

 habits and distribution, so far as these are known. This part will 

 enable any one to identify representatives of the species here de- 

 scribd. Specimens that can not be identified with any of the 

 species describd in this report may be sent to the Department of 

 Animal Biology, University <>f Minnesota, Minneapolis, Mimic 

 fur identification. Enquiries will receive prompt attention. 



The publication of the report has been delayd for variou> reasons 

 that have no vital bearing on the value of the report. 



The plates were made by the Bureau of Engraving of Minneapo- 

 lis. 



The printing was done by the Index Press of Minneapolis. 



