A DESCRIPTION OF LEECHES. 447 
The Earth Worm has neither bones, eyes, ears, nor 
brains ; it has a round, annulated body, with generally an 
elevated fleshy belt near the head. Though considered a 
great nuisance by gardeners, Earth "Worms bore, perforate, 
and loosen the soil, and render it pervious to rains and 
the fibres of plants, by drawing straws and stalks of 
leaves and twigs into it ; and chiefly by throwing infinite 
numbers of lumps called worm-casts, which form a fine 
manure for grass and corn. They are, however, very in- 
jurious to plants in pots. 
THE LEECH (Sanguisuya officmalis,) 
Is about three inches in length, and in its exterior form 
somewhat resembles the worm, when extended, but often 
contracts itself greatly in length, and at the same time 
expands in thickness. It has a small head, a black skin, 
with six yellow lines above, and spotted with yellow 
below. The mouth of the Leech is of curious construc- 
tion ; it has three jaws, each of which is armed with two 
ranges of very fine teeth, with which it pierces the skin ; 
and then draws up, as through a siphon, the blood, which 
it feeds upon. The progressive movement of the Leech 
is effected by sticking, by suction, its mouth to a certain 
spot, then bringing its tail, which also has the property 
of sticking, in the same manner as the head, and then 
advancing its head further on, quickly followed by the 
tail, and so on. The common Leech is very frequent in 
