THE NAUTILUS. 



Vol.. XVI. APRIL, 1903. No. 12. 



MOLLUSKS OCCURRING IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA. 



The following species, not heretofore made known as occurring in 

 Southern California, have been detected in Los Angeles and else- 

 where in this part of the State within the past two years. The large 

 slug Limax maximus first observed in the southeasterly part of Los 

 Angeles, has been quite numerous. It is found in considerable 

 abundance in many localities in the Walnut Grove Tract, including 

 my own grounds. Its color caused me to doubt its identity, so I 

 sent specimens to Dr. Pilsbry. He referred them to the foregoing 

 species with the comment, " that it was not the common form, but a 

 melanistic variety which I have never seen from the East." An- 

 other slug determined by Dr. Pilsbry for Mr. Williamson is Limax, 

 flavns, occurring in Los Angeles, apparently rare as yet. Jn March, 

 last year, I detected a few examples of Punctum conspectum Bland, 

 on my lawn near the water faucet; some 9 or 10 specimens; these 

 were named by Professor Dall. I have failed to find further ex- 

 amples after careful search. V<dlonia putchella, so exceedingly 

 abundant on my grounds in August, 1900 (see the NAUTILUS, Vol. 

 XIV, pp. 65-67) is now quite scarce. 



Mr. Hemphill reports Limax maximus as occurring in San Diego 

 in the nursery of the well known florist, Miss Kate O. Sessions of 

 that city. 



The appearance and disappearance of forms like V. pulchella and. 

 P. conspectum is not easily explained. 



Helix aspersa became exceedingly abundant on my premises, sa j 

 numerous as to be a pest ; by persistent search it is now nearly ex- 



