TASTE IN SNAILS 



179 



sensitive to toucli, and this is particularly the case with the 

 front or tentacular pair of arms, which seem to be employed in 



Fig. 84. — Idalia Leadiii A. and H., British seas 

 Alder and Hancock.) 



br, branchiae. (After 



an especial degree for exploration and investigation of strange 

 objects. 



Taste. — The sense of taste is no doubt present, to a greater 

 or less extent, in all the head-bearing MoUusca. In many of 

 these a special nerve or nerves has l)een discovered in the 

 pharynx, connecting with the cerebral 

 ganglion ; this no doubt indicates the 

 seat of the faculty of taste. The Mol- 

 lusca vary greatly in their likings for 

 different kinds of food. Some seem 

 to prefer decaying and highly odorifer- 

 ous animal matter (Buccimcm, JVassa), 

 others apparently confine themselves 

 to fresh meat (Pmyura, Natica, 

 Testacella), others again, although natu- 

 ra,lly vegetarian, will not refuse llesh 

 on occasion {Limax, Helix'). 



Mr. \{. A. CJain ^ has made some 

 interesting experiments on the taste of I>ritish land Mollusca, as 

 evidenced by the acceptance or rejection of various kinds of food. 

 He kept twelve species of Avion and Limax, and eight species of 

 Helix in captivity for many months, and tried them with no less 

 than 197 different kinds of food, cannibalism included. Some 



hr f 



Fig. 8 



Lima, squamosa Lam., 

 Naples, showing tentacular 

 lobes of mantle {t, t) ; a, anus ; 

 ad.m, adductor muscle ; hr, br, 

 branchiae ; /', foot ; sli, shell. 



' Juurn. of Cotu-li. vi. \i. 349 11'. 



