234 ARION. 



* 



rounded ; sole wide, with dark marginal zones, margin of the 

 foot transversel}' sulcate, and lineated with brown ; color typi- 

 cally reddish brown, the head blackish. Length, 4-5 inches. 



Europe, Algiers, Iceland, Azores, Madeira. 



This large and common slug has received many names, being 

 quite variable in coloration. It is A. empiricorum, Fer. (figs. 

 11-13), in part; A. melanocephalus, Faure-Biguet (juvenile); A. 

 Servainianus, Mabille (perhaps a variety unfigured). 



" The Arions, or black slugs, frequent damp and shady woods, 

 as well as hedge-banks and gardens. During the daytime they 

 lurk under stones and logs of wood, or bury themselves in the 

 earth, where they excavate a sort of tunnel ; but at night, and 

 after rain, they sally forth to feed. The}^ are great pests in 

 gardens, generally selecting the best cabbages and most succu- 

 lent vegetables. They are, however, not very particular about 

 their food, and act the part of land-scavengers, devouring animal 

 matter of all kinds in every state of decomposition, and even 

 each other's slime. They may be frequently met with in garden- 

 walks, after a shower, in search of food. During the season of 

 reproduction they deposit their eggs, which are very numerous, 

 separately underground. When at rest, the3 T contract their 

 bodies into a lump. In this state they offer a dainty prize to 

 ducks." Jeffreys, Brit. Conch., i, 126. 



Yar. ALBUS, Linn. (fig. 14). Whitish, shield yellowish white, 

 margin of foot yellow or orange-colored. 



Var. SUCCINEUS, Mull. Amber-colored. A. luteus, Razoum., is a 

 synonym. 



Var. ATER, Linn. (figs. 15, 17). Black or chocolate-color, margin 

 of foot sometimes orange-color or scarlet. A. marginellus, 

 Schrank, is a synonym. The subvarieties include Mulleri, 

 marginatus, Draparnaudi and bicolor of Moquin-Tandon ; 

 cinereus, Westerlund ; medius and cinereo-nebulosus, Jensen, 

 etc. 



Many European malacologists consider var. ater a distinct 

 species; its form is said to be more elongated and less obese, 

 its rugosities very long and elevated, preserved when in alcohol, 

 whilst in A. rufus they fade out in alcohol. It is, in France, a 

 mountain variety, rarely encountered in low-lying regions. 



