THE VAEIET1E8 OF LEECHES. 837 



The varieties of Leeches. — The terms -" Spanish Leeches" and "Swedish Leeches" have in this 

 country lost their distinctive meaning. We are informed by a large importer that the Spanish 

 Leech was a small green Leech brought here occasionally, thirty or forty years ago, by sea- 

 captains. They were inferior to other varieties, and during the past twenty years none have 

 been brought into the country, at least not through regular importing houses. The name 

 " Spanish Leech" is, however, stillused in the trade, and we have heard it frequently referred tO' 

 by cuppers and leechers, who are probably ignorant of the real sources of their supplies. As to 

 the Swedish Leeches, they were probably the first variety brought to this country when the 

 import trade began some fifty years ago. They then came from the country whence they 

 derived their name. Since the beginning of leech-culture in France, this same Leech has been 

 raised there artificially, and it is claimed that the American supplies from France are wholly of 

 this kind. The Leeches used in England are also said to be mostly descendants of the Swedish 

 stock raised in France. Having been shipped originally to London by way of Hamburg, they 

 received there the name of Hamburg Leeches, which they still retain. The Leeches used almost 

 exclusively in France come from a native stock, which is now propagated artificially. The,^ are ■ 

 small and of a green color. 



In the Germanleech trade two kinds of Leeches are recognised, one of which is called the 

 German Leech and the other the Hungarian Leech. The former has a black-spotted belly, while 

 in the latter the belly is uniiorm in color. The first is a native of Germany, where it has become 

 rare on account of the extent to which it has been caught up. It is now raised artificially. The 

 Hungarian Leech is imported from Hungary, whence come most of the supplies now used in 

 Germany. Other sources of supply are the principalities of the Danube and Plagacz en Posen. 

 The Island of Porto Eico and other islands of the West Indies are said to contain medicinal 

 Leeches. Most of the South American countries, however, on both sides are supplied from 

 Europe via the United States, and Mexico receives some supplies from the same source. 



