74 ASHFORDIA GRANULATA. 
In other localities it is plentiful on or among Hguisetum fluviatile, 
Eupatorium cannabinum, dog’s mercury (Mercurialis perennis), ete. ; while 
nettle (Urtica dicica), common alexanders (Smyrnium olusatrum), colts- 
foot (Tussilugo furfura), bramble (Rubus sp.), bedstraw (Galium uparine), 
butter-bur ( Petasites vulgaris), and other plants have been observed to be 
preferred in special districts; and even waste paper and rusty iron are 
attractive and resorted to. 
It is occasionally so abundant that it actually swarms and thousands of 
individuals may be congregated within a very limited area, and every plant, 
stem, or leaf of ivy and other vegetation be so crowded that they are com- 
pelled to crawl upon and over each other when changing their location. 
A. granuluta prefers the damp or boggy ground by or near the margins 
of ponds, streams, ditches, rivers, etc., and in such situations may often 
be found plentifully on the grass and rushes, or under and amongst the 
dead leaves of Phrugmites and other rank herbage. 
The circulation of this species would appear to have an average pulse- 
rate in summer of about 40 contractions per minute when the animal is in 
repose, increasing to 50—55 per minute when crawling, but occasionally 
this acceleration may become much more pronounced. 
During very hot weather the pulsations may rise even in repose to 64 
contractions per minute, while the lowest winter rate observed by Mr. 
Ashford was 9 contractions per minute at a temperature of 28° Fahr. 
Dr. Gain who kept many specimens in captivity found that although 
none of the foods offered were ravenously devoured, yet the foliage of the 
potato, dandelion (Turavucum officinale), groundsel (Senecio vulgaris), 
lettuce (Lactuca sutiva), cabbage (Brassica oleracea), elm (Ulmus eam- 
pestris) and scarlet runner bean were freely eaten, while withered red clover 
(Trifolium pratense) was also readily devoured, and Persicaria, white 
turnip, and cooked potato were taken less willingly, but cornbine, speedwell 
(Veronica officinalis), white dead-nettle (Lamium album), creeping loose- 
strife, caper spurge, beet, and Boletus edulis were only nibbled after several 
days starvation. 
In a state of nature Mr. G. R. Tate records that about Alnwick it feeds 
principally on HLyuisetum telmuteia; while Mr. Step states that in Cornwall 
it had a weakness for the harts’ tongue (Scolopendrium vulgare). 
Parasites and Enemies.—In addition to being liable to be picked 
up and devoured by the more indiscriminate enemies of molluscan life, it 
has been noted as fed upon by mice, numerous gnawed shells of this species 
being found in their runs at Oreston, near Plymouth, by Mr. L. BE. Adams. 
A little Acarid, probably Philodromus limacum, was observed infesting 
a specimen collected at Killarney by Dr. R. F. Scharff. 
Geological Distribution.—A. granuluta is recorded by Dr. Jeffreys 
as occurring in the ‘“ Upper Tertiaries” of this country, but I have not 
hitherto found this confirmed by any other author. 
Owing to the misconception of this species being so general on the con- 
tinent, there are no reliable records available for other countries. 
PLEISTOCENE.—In North Essex, Messrs. Kennard and Woodward have recorded 
it from Copford. 
HoLocEeNE.—In West Cornwall, Messrs. Kennard and Warren record it from 
Holocene sand and other situations on the summit of Towan Head near Newquay ; 
and Mr. J. P. Johnson from Riviere Towans near Camborne. 
