134 PHILOMYCIDAE 



Pallifera fosteri is often found associated with small speci- 

 mens of Philomycus carolinianus under the same log or started 

 bark, for both species live in the same kind of habitat of oak, 

 maple, beech, elm and hickory. Neither of the Pallifera species 

 described here is so abundant in individuals as is Philomycus 

 carolinianus. 



A definite method of identifying slugs is by an examination 

 of the horny jaw in the upper part of the mouth. In Philomycus, 

 the jaw is without ribs or plaits and has a strong central pro- 

 jection like a beak. In slugs of the genus Pallifera the jaw has 

 several well-defined ribs or plaits. Pallifera dorsalis has 7 

 ribs arranged vertically. Pallifera fosteri has usually 4 or 5 ribs 

 placed near the center of the jaw and slanting inwards. Rarely 

 it may have 6 or 3 ribs on the jaw. 



The genus Pallifera is badly in need of revision. A number 

 of names were given by Rafinesque in 1820 to small slugs of 

 this genus living in the Middle West. One of these names might 

 refer to the species here called fosteri. Because a nameless 

 species is out of place in a handbook and also because this species 

 is common in Illinois, it seems necessary to give it a name, even 

 though in a final revision this new species may fall into syn- 

 onymy because of the discovery of its unity with one of Ra- 

 finesque's almost unidentifiable names. The types for this new 

 species are from Oakwood, Champaign County: they consist 

 of two specimens, no. 35082, Museum of Natural History, 

 University of Illinois, and were collected by Dr. T. H. Frison 

 and Dr. H. H. Ross. 



The frugal snail, with fore-cast of repose. 

 Carries his house with him, where'er he goes; 

 Peeps out— and if there comes a shower of rain. 

 Retreats to his small domicile amain. 

 Touch but a tip of him, a horn — 'tis well — 

 He curls up in his sanctuary shell. 

 He's his own landlord, his own tenant; stay 

 Long as he will, he dreads no Quarter Day. 

 Himself he boards and lodges; both invites 

 And feasts himself; sleeps with himself o'nights. 

 He spares the upholsterer trouble to procure 

 Chattels; himself is his own furniture, 

 And his sole riches. Wheresoe'er he roam 

 Knock when you will — he's sure to be at home. 

 — Charles Lamb, The Housekeeper (from Vincent Bourne) 



