126 LIMACID^E. 



Genus I. ARI'ON* F&ussac. PL V. f. 1, 2. 



BODY nearly cylindrical, with a strongly wrinkled skin : 

 shield oblong, shagreened : respiratory orifice placed near the 

 front edge of the shield : foot furnished at its posterior 

 extremity or tail with a mucus- or slime-gland. 



SHELL amorphous, consisting of loose calcareous grains 

 which are covered by the hinder part of the shield. 



The Arions, or black slugs, frequent damp and shady 

 woods, as well as hedge-banks and gardens. During 

 the daytime they lurk under stones and logs of wood, 

 or bury themselves in the earth, where they excavate a 

 sort of tunnel ; but at night and after rain, they sally 

 forth to feed. They are great pests in gardens, gene- 

 rally selecting the best cabbages and most succulent 

 vegetables. They are, however, not very particular 

 about their food, and act the part of land-scavengers, 

 devouring animal matter of all kinds in every state of 

 decomposition, and even each other's slime. They may 

 be frequently met with in garden- walks, after a shower, 

 in search of food. During the season of reproduction 

 they deposit their eggs, which are very numerous, sepa- 

 rately underground. When at rest, they contract their 

 bodies into a lump. In this state they offer a dainty 

 prize to ducks. They differ from the Limaces, or com- 

 mon slugs, in their respiratory orifice being placed in 

 front, instead of near the hinder part, of the shield, in 

 having a slime-gland at the tail, and in the arrangement 

 of the teeth. 



* The name of an ancient musician and poet : scarcely appropriate 

 to this genus. 



