530 SciiARFF — On ihc Slugs of Ireland. 



Reproduction. — I liave not observed the eggs of this slug. Simroth (38) tells us 

 that they are about the same size as those of A. agrestis, measuring between 1"25 

 mm. and 2 mm. in diameter. Moquin-Tandon (26) states that in Limax brunneus 

 Drap { = A. laevis) the eggs are l|mm. long and 1 mm. broad, and that the number 

 at each deposition varies from twelve to eighteen. Simroth found young at all 

 seasons, but does not give an opinion as to the limits of age in this species, and my 

 own observations are so limited that I cannot venture to express an opinion. 



Ilahitat and Food. — In Ireland this species seems to be very local, and it cer- 

 tainly never occurred to me in company with A. agrestis. In Germany it is found 

 along with A. agrestis in the garden and field, but everywhere it appears to prefer 

 damp situations, being commonest near banks of rivers or in ditches. 



Mr. Burbidge, of the Trinity College Botanic Gardens in Dublin, mentioned 

 to me quite recently that a little black slug had appeared in his orchid houses. I 

 managed to secure a specimen, and found it to be an Agriolimax laevis, and I 

 ascertained that the sphagnum moss so extensively used in the cultivation of 

 orchids was brought down to Dublin from the neighbourhood of Killakee, the 

 only locality where I have met with this sjoecies.* It seems to thrive in the warm 

 orchid house, and manages to do a good deal of damage to the delicate flowers. 

 I have not been able to ascertain wliat food it lives on in its original home. 



General Disirihution. — Great Britain, and throughout continental Europe ; 

 Siberia, and throughout North America and Brazil. 



Genus III. — Amalia (Moquin-Tandon, 1855.) 

 Animal generally sharply keeled along the whole of body behind mantle. 

 Mantle, which is shagreened or granulated, has a horse-shoe shaped groove. Body 

 without bands. Pulmonary ojjening behind middle of mantle. Genital opening near 

 base of tentacles. Intestine has four convolutions, and there are accessory glands 

 in connexion with oviduct or vestibule. There is a solid internal shell, but no 

 caudal gland. 



This genus, like that of Agriolimax, has formerly been united with the genus 

 Limax, and the various species of Amalia are found under the latter genus in such 

 text books as Jeffreys (16) and Forbes and Hanley (9). In recent years the 

 structure of slugs and their habits having become better understood, mostly owing 

 to the labours of Simroth and of Lessona and PoUonera, tlie grouping under one 

 genus of a number of miscellaneous forms has been discontinued. 



Externally the Irish species are characterized by a sharp ridge or keel 

 running along the whole of the back. In some of the Continental forms this keel 

 does not seem to form such a prominent feature. A character which is applicable 



* Since writing the above, I found this slug also in C'onneinara, county Gahvay, and at Killaincy, 

 county Kerry. 



