all these are to be referred to one species.
M. DE BLAINVILLE, under H. Ceylanica,
in the Diet, de Scien. Nat. vol. xlvii.
p. 271, quotes M. BOSC as authority for the kind which
that naturalist describes being “rouges et tachetees;”
which is scarcely applicable to the Singhalese species.
It is more than probable therefore, considering the
period at which M. BOSC wrote, that he obtained his
information from travellers to the further east, and
has connected with the habitat universally ascribed
to them from old KNOX’S work (Part I. chap, vi.)
a meagre description, more properly belonging to the
land leech of Batavia or Japan, In all likelihood,
therefore, there may be a H. Boscii, distinct
from the H. Ceylanica. That which is found
in Ceylon is round, a little flattened on the inferior
surface, largest at the extremity, thence graclimlly
tapering forward, and with the anal sucker composed
of four rings, and wider in proportion than in other
species. It is of a clear brown colour, with
a yellow stripe the entire length of each side, and
a greenish dorsal one. The body is formed of 100
rings; the eyes, of which there are five pairs, are
placed in an arch on the dorsal surface; the first
four pairs occupying contiguous rings (thus differing
from the water-leeches, which have an unoccupied ring
betwixt the third and fourth); the fifth pair are
located on the seventh ring, two vacant rings intervening.
To Dr. Thwaites, Director of the Botanic Garden at
Peradenia, who at my request examined their structure
minutely, I am indebted for the following most interesting
particulars respecting them. “I have been
giving a little time to the examination of the land
leech. I find it to have five pairs of ocelli,
the first four seated on corresponding segments, and
the posterior pair on the seventh segment or ring,
the fifth and sixth rings being eyeless (fig.
A). The mouth is very retractile, and the aperture
is shaped as in ordinary leeches. The serratures
of the teeth, or rather the teeth themselves, are
very beautiful. Each of the three ‘teeth,’
or cutting instruments, is principally muscular, the
muscular body being very clearly seen. The rounded
edge in which the teeth are set appears to be cartilaginous
in structure; the teeth are very numerous, (fig.
B); but some near the base have a curious appendage,
apparently (I have not yet made this out quite satisfactorily)
set upon one side. I have not yet been able to
detect the anal or sexual pores. The anal sucker
seems to be formed of four rings, and on each side
above is a sort of crenated flesh-like appendage.
The tint of the common species is yellowish-brown or
snuff-coloured, streaked with black, with a yellow-greenish
dorsal, and another lateral line along its whole length.
There is a larger species to be found in this garden
with a broad green dorsal fascia; but I have not been
able to procure one although I have offered a small
reward to any coolie who will bring me one.”