COCKERELL : ON THE JAMAICAN SPECIES OF VERONICELLA. 23 



ON THE JAMAICAN SPECIES OF VERONICELLA. 



By T. D. A. COCKERELL, E.Z.S., 



Professor of Entomology and Zoology, 



AND 



R. R. LA R KIN, 

 Student of '94, New Mexico Agricultural College, U.S.A. 



In the Check-List of Slugs, p. 219, it was stated that descriptions had 

 been made of several Jamaican Veronicelltz, which seemed to be 

 distinguished by not altogether unimportant characters ; but these 

 were not published, owing to uncertainty regarding the specific value 

 of the distinctions observed. The present paper results from an 

 attempt to definitely determine the value of these distinctions in the 

 separation of species. 



The material here discussed is wholly from Jamaica. It consists 

 of 1 8 specimens recently dissected (numbered i to 18), and various 

 others (numbers from 19 to 24. some numbers including more than 

 one specimen) examined in Jamaica — the latter being those referred 

 to in the Check-List. 



The 18 specimens lately examined were all sexually mature 

 except Nos. 6, 12, and 15, which three, perhaps only by accidental 

 coincidence, were all very dark in colour. Unfortunately the precise 

 locality-records of these specimens have been lost, but it is believed 

 that most came from Kingston, and a few (including No. 2) were 

 sent by Mrs. E. M. Swainson from Bath. 



The results obtained are quite remarkable, and tend to throw 

 doubt on the validity of several characters hitherto used for the 

 separation of species in the genus ; it has therefore seemed well to 

 state them rather fully. 



In the first place, it may be said that none of the specimens now 

 reported on show the characters of V. dissimilis, nor does it seem 

 possible to associate any of them with V. jamaicensis (Semper's 

 supposed kraussii). V. dissimilis, Ckll., characterised by its very 

 long (12 to 18 mm.) filiform glands, and the form of the penis- 

 retractors is doubtless the same as Semper's supposed sloanii, 

 although Semper's slug differs in colour from the types of dissimilis. 

 This species is undoubtedly distinct from the true V. sloanii, Cuv. 



The specimens show great differences from one another, so that 

 by selecting a few of the most distinct forms, several apparently good 

 species might be described." Yet we believe that the Avhole series 



* As stated above, several supposed species had been indicated by one of us in MS. It may 

 be added that three of these {virgata, and specimens supposed to be identical with Nos. 22 and 21) 

 were sent to Dr. Simroth, who wrote that he considered them very nearly allied, but still distinct 

 species. Mr. Pilsbry also wrote that he had named a Jamaican / 'eronicella as new in MS., but 

 whether it was another form of sloanii cannot be ascertained, as he mentioned no characters. 



