CH^TOPODA 361 



it as common in moist soil on swampy flats, and under moist cakes 

 of cow-manure. Later he records it from Taranaki. It is no doubt 

 a common form. 



Lumbricus castaneus, Sav. 



A European species recorded in the Index Fauna Novee-Zea- 

 iandiee in 1903. Mr W. W. Smith reports it from Taranaki, as occur- 

 ring commonly in newly cleared forest. 



Lumbricus terrestris, Linn. 



Mr W^. W. Smith recorded this species in 1892 as "common 

 everywhere." His specimens were identified by Mr Beddard and 

 Mr J. J. Fletcher. He further states that it is common in Taranaki, 

 where it attains to a large size in rich soils. There is evidently some 

 confusion as to nomenclature, for Dr Benham informs me that he 

 has never come across the species iii New Zealand. 



HIRUDINEA 

 Hirudo medicinalis, Linn. var. officinalis. Medicinal Leech 



The Otago Society introduced 200 leeches in 1867, and handed 

 them over to the care of Mr F. D. Rich of Palmerston, who appears 

 to have placed them in one of the backwaters of the Shag River, 

 from whence they were probably washed out in the first big flood. 

 The Canterbury Society introduced 12 in 1867, apparently through 

 the agency of Mr A. M. Johnson, but there is no record of them. 

 In 1868 Mr Howard of the Southland Society obtained some and 

 placed them in the ponds at Wallacetown, but they were never seen 

 again. 



In addition to these efforts, chemists imported them at all the 

 main centres, but no further attempts seem to have been made to 

 rear them in the country. 



Professor H. B. Kirk informs me that in Auckland, about 1875 

 leeches were found in a small pool at the foot of a clay bank on the 

 west side of Grafton Road ; and that boys used to catch them to sell 

 to the chemists. 



Of late years, probably due to the use of other remedies, the 

 employment of leeches for medicinal purposes has greatly diminished. 

 The great war has also contributed to their disuse as their im- 

 portation has practically stopped. In 1918 it was impossible to obtain 

 leeches from any chemists in Dunedin. 



