io6 The Irish Naiiiralist. [April, 



ZOOLOGY. 



MOLLUSCS. 



Arion cmplricoruiYi, Fcr., var. Bocagei, Simr. 



In the February number of the Irish Naturalist, Dr. ScharfFhas a short 

 note on a recent paper of mine {Journ. MalacoL, 1899, vol. vii., p. 33), in 

 which I recorded Arion empii-iconim, F^r. var. Bocaa^ei, Simr., from Ireland. 

 I should not have trespassed on the valuable space of this Journal to 

 notice his remark on the subject of the nomenclature of the British 

 slugs, had his observations been correct. 



Dr. Scharff states that "Some 3'ears ago Prof. vSimroth described a 

 new variet}- of the common slug, Arion atcr, from Portugal, which, 

 instead of being uniform in colour, was yellow above, with brosvu 

 sides." A reference to Prof. vSimroth's paper {Nova Acta, 1S91, Ed. Ivi., 

 p. 347, t. xiii., figs. la, ib), with which I presume Dr. ScharfFis acquainted, 

 proves that Simroth did not dcso-ibc a variety of A. atcr, which species finds 

 no mention ; but a variety of A. einpiricoriun, Fer. {cf. op. cit., p. 346), as I 

 have stated in my paper. 



Dr. Scharff continues, " Mr. CoUinge, it will be noticed, uses the name 

 Arion anpiricoriini of Ferussac, instead of the earlier A. ater, as he believes 

 these to be two distinct species. Professor Simroth and I [the italics are 

 minej do not agree with him, and it certainly seems to me that Arion ater, 

 being the older name, has the priority ; and should, therefore, be used." 

 Dr. Scharff is quite at liberty to use an}- name he thinks fit, but he 

 must not expect malacologists either to agree with or follow him. 



Prof Simroth, in a recent letter, confirms my statement that he 

 described a variety (viz. i^cira^fc'/') oi Arion empiricoriiui; he further points 

 out that he has not yet decided the point as to the specific difference of the 

 forms ater., riifus, and cmpiricoriim, for which I have described certain 

 specific anatomical characters [Joitrn. MalacoL, 1S97, vol. vi., p. 7, pi. ii.). 

 From his published works, and the above-mentioned letter, it appears 

 that he does cucept the name empiricortiui for the large black Arion ; but 

 whether ater and riifus are distinct from this species he has not yet 

 decided. 



Prof. Pollonera, the greatest living authority upon the European 

 Arionidce, is also of the opinion that the species found in the British Isles 

 is the A. ejnpiricortun of Ferussac. 



It would be well another time if Dr. Scharff would take the trouble to 

 ascertain the correctness of such a statement as he has criticised, b)^ 

 referring to the original description. 



Wai^ter E. Coi^i^inge. 



Mason University College, Birmingham. 



It IS to be regretted that so many records and so many misleading 

 descriptions have been published in the Irish Naturalist and elsewhere 

 by some of our most trusted leaders in Conchology, all of which are 

 based upon a total misapprehension of the remarkable characters 

 distinguishing the true Arion ater, var. Bocagei, a form not as yet found in 



