47 



cross, because they stated that, " This species is so well known it 

 needs no description." One was therefore unable properly to identify 

 it. It is a small slug of a pale ochreous or pale brownish colour, 

 without any banding, but often spotted with darker brown. Its 

 shield is concentrically wrinkled and its slime is milky white. We 

 shall soon see the chalky slime if we handle the little animal. It 

 is found almost everywhere, in gardens, fields, lanes, on the hill- 

 sides, and at all times of the year. The animals are very prolific 

 and the eggs may be noticed in damp places all through the year. 

 This is naturally the first species with which the young limacologist 

 will become well acquainted and of which he will obtain his first 

 mental picture, 



Its congener, A<irioUmax laevis, may be known by its chocolate 

 colour, its glossy appearance, its large shield, and long neck. When 

 crawling, the shield appears almost in the middle of the animal 

 instead of decidedly on the anterior portion as in other slugs. It is 

 not a garden species but delights in very wet situations, such as the 

 sides of ponds or canals. By day it may be discovered hidden 

 among the roots of plants at the w^ater's edge. It is exceedingly 

 active and a very entertaining species on the saucer. It is worth 

 mentioning that a snail, Zoiiitoides nitida, whose shell is of some- 

 what similar shining brown colour, is nearly always found where 

 this slug occurs. Both these may be taken by the banks of the 

 Thames at Kew. 



The genus Mila.v is characterised externally by the grooved body 

 and shield and by the prominent keel along the back. We have two 

 species. Mila.v gat/ates is generally here of a leaden-grey coloration. 

 Its strong keel, which is well marked right to the tail, is either 

 unicolorous with its body or of a still darker tint. In the Mediter- 

 ranean region this slug appears often to be of a jet black, hence its 

 name. It is one of the less common species, but from its retiring 

 habits it is probably often overlooked. Mr. Main sent me a fine 

 specimen from Woodford and Professor Cockerel! has taken it in 

 Chiswick, though the writer has sought it there in vain. 



On the other hand the second species, Mila.c sonrrbii, is a common 

 animal in Chiswick and the surrounding country. Both species, 

 however, appear to be absent from the north of Scotland. M. 

 son-erbii is larger and stouter than its congener, the keel, which is 

 more prominent on the back and dwindles towards the tail, is 

 generally of a lighter colour than that of the body. The rug^e or 

 tubercles of the body are marked oft" by dark lines. It is grey with 

 yellowish areas. It is thus a variegated slug, while M. (fof/ates 

 might be described as self-coloured. It is common especially in 

 gardens under the more deeply buried stones, larger logs, or along 

 the bases of walls. It is perhaps the most lazy of the whole tribe 

 and it requires sometimes a lot of coaxing to make it display itself 

 on the saucer. How^ever, when it glides along its quiet and 



