SLUGS' EGGS PHOSPHOEESCENT. 91 



" British Quadrupeds," 2nd. ed. p. 107, that the 

 small field slug, Limax agrestis, is a favourite morsel 

 with the hedgehog ; and is often scratched out and 

 eaten in the summer months when concealed in 

 the day in crevices, or amongst the roots of 

 grass or other close herbage. This slug also fur- 

 nishes food to the blind worm, Anguisfragilis, which 

 seizes it as a dog would seize a rat, and, after holding 

 it for some time in its mouth, passes it slowly 

 through its jaws and swallows it head foremost. 



The eggs of the garden slug (A. hortensis) are 

 phosphorescent for about a fortnight after they have 

 been deposited, and may be seen in the evening on 

 moist hedge banks, giving out a pale light. 



We do not propose to say as much of the slugs as 

 our opportunities have enabled us to do in the case 

 of the snails ; and, indeed, we may admit that we have 

 not paid equal attention to them. There can be no 

 doubt, however, that, although the handling of these 

 slimy creatures is not particularly agreeable, the 

 study of their habits and economy opens a wider field 

 for research, with a greater prospect of novelty, than 

 can be expected in the case of the testaceous 

 mollusca. 



