ADDITIONS AND AMENDMENTS TO THE SLUG LIST. 



I regret that before adding another synonym to the list of this 

 last-mentioned species, Mr. Cockerell did not obtain and examine 

 further specimens, for the practice of describing species from single 

 examples — unless the points of difference are exceedingly well 

 marked — is, in my opinion, one that is strongly to be deprecated 

 for reasons that are obvious. 



In A. occidentalis I fail to see the peculiarities its author mentions 

 in the reproductive organs. The form of the sperm-duct {Patron 

 enstrecke) agrees with that organ in a typical A. hortensis, as does 

 also the receptaculum seminis and its duct. The retractor muscle 

 is attached to the proximal end of this duct and arises posterior to 

 the pericardial chamber, and not as described by Mr. Cockerell. 

 There are two vestibules and a "distinctly swollen" oviduct. 



Compared with A. cc/ticits, Poll., — which is but a variety of 

 A. hortensis, — or the var. acruleus, Cllge., the anatomical differences 

 are insignificant, and even were these minor variations constant, 

 which still remains to be proved, they are insufficient to separate it 

 from A. hortensis. Of course no two specimens are exactly alike, 

 and unless a reasonable range of variation is allowed, we shall have 

 the hortensis group of Arion in the same condition as the genus 

 A in alia. 



If A. occidentalis has to take rank as a valid species, further 

 anatomical differences must be shown to exist, as otherwise it cannot 

 be regarded as anything but A. hortensis, Fer. The external features 

 may possibly be sufficient to characterise it as a variety? • 



ADDITIONS AND AMENDMENTS 

 TO THE SLUG LIST. 



"I send herewhh a few observations on the Check-Fist of Slugs. 

 I would again repeat with all emphasis that Limax is not a native 

 of Australasia. I have already said so in my article of February, 

 1892 {Ann. Mag. N.H.). Both in species and individuals Limax 

 is most plentiful in and around the cities, and they grow more 

 numerous in some places than I ever saw them in Europe. Just 

 in proportion as the civilisation of the whites is left behind so 

 do these slugs become scarcer, and, once the untouched bush is 

 reached, all have disappeared. 



In New Zealand, Tasmania, Australia and New Guinea I have 

 searched the virgin forests where unspoiled by the axe and fire of 



