rilE EARTH WOBM 



175 



have a smaller, anterior sucking dis1<: around the mouth, which 

 may or may not be provided with teeth, for the purpose of 

 cutting through the sl-cin. When 

 there are no teeth, the pharynx 

 can be thrust out, forming a pro- 

 jjoscis. With a few exceptions, all 

 leeches live in water ; but in Cey- 

 lon there is a land-leech which 

 lives in foliage and attacks man 

 and other animals. Other leeches 

 may live in damp places at a con- 

 siderable distance from water. 

 Such a leech has been described in 

 this country that was dug up in a 

 garden at a point about GO metres 

 from the nearest rivulet, where 

 it was feeding on earthworms. 

 Leeches suck the blood of fishes 

 and other ariuatic animals. 

 Certain kinds devour worms, in- 

 sects, and other small creatures. 

 Rarely do thej^ feed on plants. 



The commonest of the larger blood- 

 suckers of our waters is Nephelis,' 

 which is not distinctly segmented. 

 It varies from black to slate color, and is sometimes striped or 

 spotted. It lives in running water, ditches, and ponds. 



Clepsine ^ is a verj^ flat and broad leech, which is common under 

 floating wood. It feeds on snails and creeps like the inch-worm. 

 The female carries its young attaclied to its under-surface (Fig. 165). 



^ Ncphdi', wife of Athamas. ^ From klcpto, to steal. 



1. Pontobdella 2. Clepsine 



Fig. 1G5. — Two leeches, Clepsine, 

 found in ponds, often parasitic 

 on frogs ; and Pontobdella, a 

 marine species living on fish. 

 From Parker and HasweU. 



