42 LIMACID^. 



by close comparison that their differences can be seen. 

 The present species, although considerably smaller, is 

 nearly allied to Limax agrestis. 



Its differential characters are as follows : It is always 

 much smaller, and at all ages possesses a peculiarly 

 gelatinous or semitransparent consistency. The tuber- 

 osities of the surface are more prominent in proportion 

 to their size, are not flattened or plate-like, and are not 

 separated by darker colored anastomosing lines, the inter- 

 vening furrows being of the same color as the general 

 surface. It does not secrete a milky mucus at every 

 part of the sm-face when touched. Like that species, it 

 is active in its motions, and suspends itself by a thread 

 of mucus. 



This species appears to be common to all the northern 

 parts of the United States. It is found under decaying 

 wood in •the forests and in open pastures, and under 

 stones at road-sides. From its wide distribution, it 

 would seem to be indigenous. 



Its testaceous rudiment is minute and deUcate in pro- 

 portion to the small size of the animal. 



We give this as a species with some hesitation. Its 

 near resemblance to Limax agrestis, in every respect 

 except size and difference of habitat, induces us to doubt 

 whether it is any thing more than that species living in its 

 natural condition. On the other hand, the permanence 

 of these differences, and the minor variations of surface 

 which are more apparent in the dead animal preserved 

 in alcohol, seem to entitle it to the rank of a species. 



