522 ScHAEFF — On the Slugs of Ireland. 



Anatomy (Plate LVII., fig. 26). — There are tlie same six convolutions of 

 the intestine as in the preceding species, but L. flavus is distinguished from it, 

 and resembles the next species, in having a blind process or coecum attached to 

 the end portion of the intestine. This remarkable feature induced Simroth (38) 

 to unite L. variegatus (= flavus) and L. arborum (= marginatus) into one sub-genus. 

 This author informs us that Selenka had discovered the presence of the coecum ; 

 however, Nunneley (31) described it thirty years before him. The latter men- 

 tions that this coecum consists of but little more than delicate cellular tissue, 

 that it is alwayKS collapsed, and that the contents of the intestine do not pass 

 down it. 



The hermaphrodite gland (Jig.) is not so elongated as in L. juaximus, and is 

 of a light yellow colour, but the shape of the gland naturally varies very much, 

 and is therefore not of importance in the diagnosis of the species. The ovisperm- 

 duct (os.) seems rather shorter than in L. maximus ; and the receptaculum seminis 

 (rec.) is larger, and opens into the lower portion of the oviduct [ov.) 



Reproduction. — The eggs of this species are at once recognized as distinct from 

 those of L. maximus. They are provided with a minute sharp point at each end 

 of the longer diameter. Those I examined were 7 mm. long., and 5 mm. broad; 

 but, according to Simroth (38), they vary considerably in size, he having found 

 some measuring 11 mm. long. They are somewhat yellowish in tint, and rather 

 firmer in consistency than those of L. maximus. I found them at the end of 

 November in an old tree trunk near Dublin, and the young slugs emerged a 

 few days later. These young ones are much darker than the adults. They are 

 of a somewhat greenish colour, and many of them had a very distinct light 

 stripe running down the back, the sides being darker; otherwise they resemble 

 the adults so much that there is no difiiculty in recognizing the species at 

 once. 



In the cellars, where this species is common, I have obtained adults up to 

 November, but in December not a single adult was seen. They must have died 

 off, young and half-grown specimens being numerous. The fact of there being 

 half-grown ones in December also proves that a deposition of ova takes place in 

 the early months of summer. 



Habitat. — L. flavus lives chiefly in cellars and kitchens, but it is by no means 

 scarce in the country. I have often taken it in woods under the bark of old trees, 

 along with L. maximus — always a number of them together. In Germany it seems 

 to be almost exclusively confined to cellars. 



Taylor and Roebuck (42) report its occurrence at Waterford, whilst I have 

 taken it everywhere in the county Dublin ; and Thompson (43) records its 

 presence in the North. I have also received specimens from Mr. Barrett-Hamilton 

 from Wexford. 



