the leech. 
281 
This leech has the general figure of a worm, and is about 
as long as one’s middle finger. Its skin is composed of 
nngs, by means of which it is possessed of its ability and 
swims in water. It contracts itself when out of water in 
such a manner, that when touched, it is not above an inch 
long. It has a small head, and a black skin, edged with a 
yellow line on each side, with some yellowish spots on the 
back. The belly also, which is of a reddish colour, is mark- 
ed with whitish yellow spots. But the most remarkable part 
of tins animal is the mouth, which is composed of two lips 
that take whatever form the insect finds convenient. When 
at rest, the opening is usually triangular ; and within it are 
placed three very sharp teeth, capable of piercing not only 
the human skin, but also that of an horse or an ox. Still 
deeper in the head, is discovered the tongue, which is com- 
posed ot a strong fleshy substance, and which serves to as- 
sist the animal in sucking, when it has inflicted its triple 
wound ; for no sooner is this voracious creature applied to 
the skin, than it buries its teeth therein, then closes its lips 
found the wound which it has made; and thus, in the man- 
ner of a cupping-glass, extracts the blood as it flows to the 
different orifices. 
In examining this animal’s form farther towards the tail 
■t is seen to havea gullet, and an intestinal canal, into which 
the blood flows in great abundance. On each side of this 
are seen running along several little bladders, which, when 
'he animal is empty, seem to be filled with nothing but water- 
but when it is gorging blood, they seem to communicate 
with the intestines, and receive a large portion of the blood 
. Uc h flows into the body. If these bladders should be con- 
sidered as so many stomachs, then every leech will be found 
f° have twenty-four. But what is most extraordinary of all 
'n this animal’s formation is, that though it takes so large a 
Quantity of food, it has no anus or passage to eject it from 
die body when it has been digested. On the contrary, the 
blood which the leech has thus sucked remains for several 
"'onths dotted within its body, blackened a little by the 
c hange, but no way putrefied, and very little altered in its tex- 
or consistence. In what manner it passes through th e 
at iiinal’s body, or how it contributes to its nourishment, is 
not easily accounted for. The water in which they are kept 
js very little discoloured by their continuance ; they cannot 
J e supposed to return the blood by the same passage through 
' v uch it was taken in; it only remains, therefore, that it 
goes off through the pores of the body, and that these are 
mficiently large to permit its exclusion. 
*OL. II. g N 
