24 PEOCEEDINGS OF THE [JllQe, 1860. 



The following communication from Di\ Edmnnd Ravenel, regard- 

 ing the Leech presented by him in April, was read : 



Hirudo ? 



Found on a piece of stick in a ditch, in water, at the Grove, on 25th IMarch, 

 1860. About two inches long and not quite an inch wide. A flat disk, with 

 seven rows of minute but prominent tubercles, running from the head to the 

 tail, the centre one being the most prominent, and the tubercles so near as to 

 have the aj^pearance of a nodulous ridge. The other rows are decided, but not 

 so prominent. Between these rows the spaces are filled with minute tubercles, 

 some a little larger than the others. At the head the disk projects, foi-ming a 

 flap, which has also many tubercles, but is without the lines of tubercles of the 

 ■ body, The whole body has transverse wrinkles, which as they apx^roach the 

 margins become more strongly marked with u'regularly placed tubercles. The 

 margins are very thin. The colour is uniform over the whole upper surface — 

 a dull blue-black. In attempting to remove it from the stick to which it was 

 attached, I raised up the tail and then discovered that the animal was spread 

 over a mass of eggs. The eggs are about one-thirtieth of an inch in diameter, 

 yellow and rather firm. They are arranged in rows, irregularly, forming quite 

 a mass, the number I could not determine but there must be over 100. 



I did not disturb the animal sufficiently to let me say with certainty that it is 

 a Leech, this name is used only from its general apx^earance. In removing the 

 tail from the stick, it does not show the disk of attachment as usual with the 

 Leech. The head I did not hf t from the stick, as eveiy movement seems to 

 distress the animal, from the exposure of the eggs. 



Say has described Hirudo pajxisiUca, I have not his description and cannot 

 compare this with it. 



The parasitiai is said to have its young attached to an opening on its imder 

 surface, but nothing is said of eggs. 



JUNE 15th, 1860. 



Vicp-President W. WRAaa HivnTH in the Chah. 



(Jontributlojts to tht lAhrary. 



Proceedmgs of the Academy of Natm-al Sciences of Philadelphia, 

 1860, pages 81--144. 



