Leech Finders

Two women are standing in a stream, with water up to their ankles, while another woman sits on the bank with her feet in the water. Each of them is carrying a small keg, and the woman in the foreground is about to put hers to use by throwing into it the leech crawling on her hand. The author elaborates on this scene as follows:

The women who collect [leeches] are principally from Scotland... Their dress has some peculiarity in it, and they promenade bare legged, with considerable picturesque effect, in the pools of water frequented by leeches. These little blood suckers attach themselves to the feet and legs, and are from thence transferred by the fair fingers of the lady to a small barrel or keg of water, suspended at her waist.