inhahitins^ the United States. 167 



"o 



the posterior part, and its edges on the whole circumference 

 unattached. Upper surface of body marked with longitudi- 

 nal lines, or shallow furrows, darker than the general surface, 

 sometimes black, anastomosing with each other, and forming 

 a sort of net-work ; between the reticulated lines are narrow, 

 irregular oblong plates, or smooth, flattened tubercles, giving 

 the surface the appearance of a mosaic work, with lines of 

 dark cement ; reticulations less distinct on the sides, and dis- 

 appearing towards the base ; a prominent tubercular ridge 

 extends from between the superior tentacles backward to the 

 mantle, with a furrow on each side. Superior tentacle cylin- 

 drical, about one-eighth of the length of the body, with small, 

 black, ocular points on the superior part of the terminal bulb ; 

 inferior tentacles immediately under the upper, very short. 

 Respiratory foramen near the posterior lateral edge of the 

 mantle, large, surrounded with a whitish border. Orifice of 

 rectum immediately adjacent, but a little above and anterior 

 to the respiratory foramen. Foot narrow ; locomotive band 

 bounded by two distinct longitudinal furrows. Generally 

 about one inch in length, but when fully grown nearly two 

 inches. 



Geographical Distribution. Inhabits the neighborhood 

 of Boston, New York, Philadelphia, and other maritime cities. 

 Has not yet penetrated far into the interior of the country. 



Remarks. In Dr. Gould's description of Limax tunicata, 

 he intimates a suspicion that it may prove identical with 

 Limax agrestis, Lin., and further observation has fully con- 

 firmed that supposition. It is undoubtedly of European ori- 

 gin, and I have not noticed it at any considerable distance 

 from the sea-coast. It is common in the neighborhood of 

 Boston, under stones at road-sides, and about stables and 

 farm-yards, and in other moist situations, under wet and de- 

 caying pieces of wood. It is also found in cellars and gar- 

 dens, but not in such numbers as to cause much mischief by 

 its depredations. In the city of Philadelphia it is more com- 

 mon, attains a large size, and is more destructive to vegetation. 

 A considerable number of individuals often congregate in the 

 same retreat. Their food appears to be the green leaves of 



