LIMAX. 189 



Genus LIMAX, Linn., 1740. 

 Section LIMAX (sensu stricto). 

 L. MAXIMUS, Linn. PL 46, figs. 31-35, 39; PL 49, fig. 76. 



Animal ash-colored or yellowish white, longitudinally streaked 

 or spotted with black, shield always black- spotted, sole ash or 

 yellowish ash, always unicolored. Length, 6 inches. 



Europe. Introduced into the Eastern United States, Madeira. 



The species described by Linnaeus has been referred by some 

 authors to L. cinereo-niger, Wolf, distinguished by its parti- 

 colored locomotive disk ; the} 7 therefore have resuscitated other 

 names for this species, such as L. cinereus, Lister, and L. 

 cellarius, Argenville both objectionable because given by poly- 

 nomial authors. Whilst there ma} 7 be some doubt as to 

 Linnaeus' species, there can be none as to the species which 

 most conchologists have identified with it, and in that sense I 

 preserve its name. 



It is Limacella parma, Brard ; L. maculatus, Nunneley; L. 







antiquorum (pars), Fer. 



A large number of color varieties have been described, promi- 

 nent among them being vars. serpentinus (fig. 32), vulgaris (fig. 

 34), cellarius (typical), Johnstoni, maculatus, Ferrussaci (fig. 35), 

 obscurus, fasciatus and rufescens, of Moquin-Tandon, and 

 Cornalise, of Pini (fig. 7C>). 



Dr. J. Gwyn Jeffreys thus speaks of this species : 

 " This is the largest species of Lirnax, and sometimes exceeds 

 six inches in length. It is inactive in its habits, not very 

 prolific, and exudes a thick and glutinous slime which is 

 iridescent when dried. Its eggs are deposited in a cluster and 

 slightly attached to each other. When alarmed, or at rest, this 

 sluo- merely draws its head within the shield, but does not other- 



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wise contract its body. When irritated, it is s t ^id to expand its 

 shield. It is liable to be infested, as well as some other slugs, 

 by a white parasitic mite, which swarms about its body and, 

 according to Mr. Jenyns. dwells in its respiratory cavity. Mr. 

 Daniel informs me that these slugs suspend themselves in pairs 

 during the breeding-season by threads of slime, and that they 

 always feed by night. Like all other slugs and snails, it will 

 soon eat its way out of a large pill-box, or even a stouter one 



