Zoology, 69 



operations of a gnat while it was stinging me. On the 25th of October 

 last, and about two o'clock in the dayj a gnat (Culex plpiens) alighted on 

 my forefinger ; I held my hand still, and observed it. It immediately applied 

 its proboscis to the skin, at the same time moving its antennae and hind 

 legs slowly up and down, which it continued to do for a few seconds, when 

 it became apparently motionless, resting on its four front legs, with its hind 

 ones stretched out in a line with its abdomen. I now felt a slight sensation 

 where the proboscis was inserted, but so faint that, had not my attention 

 been directed to it, I probably should not have noticed it ; and this I only 

 felt for a second or two. The abdomen now began to swell gradually, the 

 influx of the blood being clearly visible, through its semi-transparent skin ; 

 at the same time, a clear watery liquid began to ooze from the anus, form- 

 ing a round globule ; it had a curious appearance, to see blood flowing in 

 at one end, and water out at the other ; the drop fell, and another formed, 

 the abdomen all the time getting larger and larger, and redder and redder, 

 till the second drop fell. The abdomen had now attained full three times' 

 its natural size, with a deep blood-red hue, when, to my great vexation, the 

 door opened, and away flew my little toper, without appearing the least 

 encumbered wi.th its bloody cargo 



I must further observe, that the insect was altogether about one minute 

 on my finger ; that no part of the outer sheath of its proboscis was inserted 

 beneath the skin ; that I did not receive any warning of its bloody intentions 

 from its pipes. I mention this, because I think I have heard it affirmed, that 

 they always do give warning before an attack ; but what appeared to me the 

 most remarkable is, that there was not the slightest pain, inflammation, or 

 mark of any kind left that was perceptible. I remain, Sir, yours, &c. — J. A, 

 St. John's Woody Nov. 20. 1 828. 



Spinning Slugs. — Sir, I have now before me a spinning slug, I mean a 

 slug, which I discovered suspended by the tail from the leaves of a tree for 

 the space of about a foot or more, and letting itself down towards the earth 

 by means of a fine thread, like that of a spider, or that by which the larvae 

 of many lepidopterous insects descend from the branches of trees. With 

 the single exception of its spinning propensity, the slug appears in all re- 

 spects exactly like the ordinary small grey slug (iimax agrestis), so com- 

 mon every where, and so destructive in our gardens. I have several times 

 met with these spinning slugs suspended by their threads ; but, as I can dis- 

 cover no difference in size, colour, or form from the common slug, I should 

 be glad to know whether they are to be considered as a distinct species, or 

 whether the common slug may not uniformly possess the same faculty, 

 though it has seldom occasion to exert it. The author of Elements of 

 Natural History y speaking of slugs in general, says that " they spin a thread, 

 by which they sometimes suspend themselves, or let themselves down from 

 heights : ** but this observation he makes while describing the general habits 

 of the genus, without appropriating it to any particular species. My slug 

 unfortunately made its escape from under the glass in which it was con- 

 fined, before I had fully satisfied my curiosity respecting it. I could not 

 perceive that it showed any disposition to spin while in confinement. — 

 W. T, Bree. Allesley Rectory j near Coventry ^ July 29. 182° 



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