138 BeaiiVful Sliells. 



most destructive of molluscous animals, devouring 

 the roots of plants as well as their leaves. It is 

 bisexual and very prolific, breeding several times 

 a year ; and Chautereaux counted three hundred 

 and eighty eggs deposited by two individuals be- 

 twixt April and November, laying from thirty to 

 seventy at a time. They rapidly increase in size, 

 and reach maturity in three months, although they 

 probably begin to lay eggs in about two. The L, 

 flavuSy or varlrgaius (for although the lower surface 

 be yellowish-grey, the upper is thickly and irre- 

 gularly-spotted blackish brown), has a limpid slime, 

 but secretes, when irritated, a thicker bluish-white 

 mucus. On reaching any twig or place where there 

 occurs a difficulty of proceeding, it allows itself to 

 drop or be slowly lowered by its thread of adhesive 

 mucus, which at length gives way. This is the 

 slug which is found under damp turf and stones, 

 beside walls and among plants. It is twice the size 

 of the field slug, being from three to four and 

 sometimes even five inches long. Mr. E. J. Lowe 

 says it is best known as the cellar s^ug, and is 

 in such situations gregarious. The tree slug (L. 

 arborum) is greyish, with marbled side-stripes, and 

 a dusky band along the back. It feeds upon wood 

 and afiects decaying trees, whence it uses it3 



