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CONTRIBUTION TO OUR KNOWLEDGE OF 

 AUSTRALIAN HIRUDINEA. 



Part i. 



By E. J. Goddard, B.A., B.Sc, Junior Demonstrator in 

 Biology, Sydney University. 



Introduction. — The freshwater Rhynchobdellidse of New South 

 Wales, in fact the Hirudinea of Australia generally, have so far 

 been neglected. Although search proves that the Hirudinea are 

 well represented in Australia, the only account of any of these 

 for a number of years is that given by Miss Lambert in connection 

 with the Land Leech Philcemon pungens in 1897. The small 

 size of the animals and their conditions of life no doubt in some 

 way account for the neglect which they have suffered, inasmuch 

 as they would not be readily recognised as " Leeches " by any 

 one not interested in our freshwater fauna, and hence they would 

 not enjoy the prominence bestowed on the common Leech, Hirudo 

 quinquestriata. 



The field is sufficiently fruitful to warrant successful investiga- 

 tions. 



The present paper deals with some Leeches belonging to the 

 family Glossiphoniidce, two species being members of the type 

 genus, Glossiphonia (syn. Clepsine), the third specimen described 

 constituting a new genus. 



As the group is a very interesting one from several standpoints, 

 I resolved, in taking advantage of Dr. Hill's kindness in giving 

 me some fine specimens which he had collected, to attempt some 

 work on the group. 



