Bkancheli>id^.- 
ANNELIDA. Ph ylli^id.e. 301 
issue at the approach of spring. The suctorial Anne- 
lides do not possess the power of reproducing amputated 
portions of their body like the Lumbricidce. They are 
oviparous, aud protect their ova in heavy capsules 
or in fibro-gelatinous cocoons. The young do not un- 
dergo any metamorphosis, and attain maturity slowly. 
Progression is effected by alternate fixations and loosen- 
ings of the suckers, and by corresponding contractions 
and extensions of the intermediate segments or rings. 
Many species can also swim in the water by undulatory 
eel-like movements of the extended body. 
This order contains several families. 
Family L— BRANCHELLID^. 
The species of this small family have the oral sucker 
entire, and the body is furnished with branchiaeform 
lobes or membranous appendages on each side of the 
segments, which appear to serve the purpose of respira- 
tion — aerating, according to Quatrefages, the lymph and 
chyle previous to their admixture with the blood. 
Family II. — PISCICOLIDjE (^Fish-leeches). 
The species of this family do not possess the mem • 
branous branchiaeform lobes on the segment, wliich the 
preceding family has. Their jaws are wanting or are 
reduced to three projecting points. They live parasiti- 
cally upon the bodies of fishes, on whose juices they feed. 
Some species are peculiar for the strong tincture or 
colour which they impart to the spirits in which they 
are preserved; Pontohdella Icevis, for instance, impart- 
ing a beautiful scarlet colour, while P. muricata tinc- 
tures the fluid with an intense green. 
Family III.— NEPHELID^. 
This family of worms contains a number of species 
.which have the oral sucker incomplete, continuous with 
the body, and formed by a moulding of the anterior 
rings. The mouth is destitute of jaws, or they are, 
when present, rudimentary ; the anus is large, and the 
gullet is long. This rudimentary condition of the jaws 
disables the species belonging to this family from pierc- 
ing the skin of animals. They are the carnivorous 
members of the order Sactoria ; preying on worms, 
mollusks, larvae of insects, &c., which they generally 
swallow entire. The species are all lacustrine, are not 
found parasitic, but swim with ease through the water, 
or crawl like other Annelides, along the ground. M. 
Audouin says,. that they appear to possess something 
in their structure which makes them afraid of the con- 
tact of air, that they never voluntarily quit the water, 
and even perish soon after leaving it. Dr. Johnston, 
however, asserts that they often leave the water, and 
take up their abode on stones on the wet shore. 
Family IV.— HIRUDINID.® {The True Leeches). 
This family contains, amongst others, the two well- 
known species called the Medicinal and Horse Leech. 
The family is eminently suctorial in their habits; their 
mouth is armed with three jaws, by means of which 
they cut into the skin and suck the blood of vertebrate 
animals, onlj' falling.oflf when gorged. The alimentary 
canal in the leeches is deeply incised and lobed, with 
the hinder pair of lobes elongated like intestines. In 
these the blood which they have sucked remains for 
days and weeks, or even months without digesting or 
passing into the intestine, and what is curious, without 
coagulating, retaining in fact its fluidity during the 
whole of that time. They are enabled to endure absti- 
nence for a length of time, without experiencing any 
loss of bulk. Leeches are inhabitants of fresh water 
ponds and ditches, but they often leave the water of 
their own accord for a length of time. In winter they 
disappear, and remain hidden during the continuance 
of the cold weather. The ova are deposited in a curious 
cocoon, which closel}' resembles a sponge. 
Family V.— GLOSSOPORID^E. 
“ These are small and neat leeches, usually so trans- 
parent as to permit the disposition of the viscera to be 
seen without any dissection.” — {Johnston.) They are 
of little general interest. 
Family VI.— PHYLLINID^. 
The animals belonging to this family have frequently 
been arranged along with the Entozoa or Intestinal 
Worms. They are external parasites, being found on 
the outer surface of marine fishes and Mollusca. The 
body is oblong, flattened, but not divided into segments; 
there is no distinct head, and no eyes. The mouth is 
without teeth or proboscis, but has usually a small suc- 
torial disc on each side of it, and the posterior extremity 
is furnished with a large circular suctorial disc. 
