iQoo.] Notes. 107 



this country. The various descriptions published and applied to this 

 remarkable variety and to its so-called sub-varieties are not merely 

 incorrectly applied, but in all cases are diametrically opposed to the 

 peculiar characters by which it is distinguished. 



My wish for accurate identification and reliable records has induced 

 me to point out that ^^rw^ aler var. Bocagei when adult is totally tohite, except 

 the locomotor disc ^ which is black. This striking colouring does not however 

 characterize its youthful stages, but is an accompaniment of full-growth. 



Jno. W. Tayi^or. 

 Horsforth, near Leeds. 



In reference to Mr. Taylor's note I should like to state that the 

 sub-varieties to which he refers have never been regarded by me as 

 forms of the var. Bocagei, Simr., but only as " closely approaching" that 

 interesting variety. I have always been most careful to point out the 

 colour of the foot-sole, which at once separates them. 



I entirely disagree with the first paragraph in Mr. Taylor's note. If 

 he will refer to my paper (/<??/;;/. Malac, 1899, vol. vii., p. 33), he will find 

 that I there stated that the form of A. empiricorziui which I had received 

 from Ireland was '' identical in all external features with the var. Bocagei^ 

 Simr." This specimen was full grown, with a perfectly white dorsum, 

 and light sepia-brown or dirty straw-coloured, just above the foot-fringe, 

 with an almost black foot-sole. Exactly similar specimens I have 

 recently seen from Portugal, and also specimens with a perfectly black 

 foot-sole and j-ellowish-grey dorsum ; in both cases they were adult 

 specimens. 



The black foot-sole is the all-important feature, otherwise it is simply 

 an approach to albinism, as Professor Simroth points out in the 

 following sentence: — "Dr. Scharff's description is wanting as regards 

 mention that A. evipiriconun var. Bocagei has a dark sole, with a light back. 

 Without this I should simply think of albinism." — {In litt., Feb. 22, 1900). 



WAI.TER E. COIvIvINGE. 



Mason University College, Birmingham. 



Irish slugs are coming to the front, and are the primar}- cause of the above 

 interesting notes and criticisms from our English friends. T am only 

 the secondary cause in mentioning in the Irish Natiirali^^t (February, 1900) 

 Mr. Collinge's record of the variety Bocagei oi Arion ater in Ireland. Let 

 us take Mr. CoUinge first. I have in no way criticized his statements. 

 I have only made the observation that Professor Simroth and I did not 

 agree with Mr. Collinge in the belief that Arion empii-icorum and A. ater 

 are distinct species. In spite of what Mr. CoUinge may say to the 

 contrar}-, I repeat that this statement is perfectly correct. My only fault, 

 as far as I can see, is that I followed Mr. Collinge in reproducing his 

 erroneous record, as Mr. Taylor justly points out. Both Mr. CoUinge 

 and I were wrong in stating that the variety Bocagei (of A. empiricortun 

 or A. ater) is yellow (or yellowish) above, with brown (or sepia) sides. To 

 Mr. Taylor belongs the credit of pointing out this serious error. It is all 

 the more to be regretted therefore that Mr. Taylor should now add to the 



