ARIOtf. 43 



1. A. ATER (black). 



Body rounded in front, tapering behind ; colour exceed- 

 ingly variable, black, chocolate, reddish, yellowish, green- 

 ish, and whitish ; coarsely tuberculated ; mantle finely 

 shagreened ; shell usually absent, though occasionally re- 

 presented by a few granules. 



The great variations in the colour of this common 

 slug do not appear to have much, if anything, to do with 

 its habitat. The common type, coal black, from which 

 it derives its specific name, is found in the same locali- 

 ties as beautiful cream-coloured specimens with dark 

 tentacles and a yellow fringe. In Berkshire this 

 variety is common, as also chocolate-coloured speci- 

 mens. In the Isle of Man I once found a piebald 

 specimen. In Ireland I have met with individuals of 

 a bright yellow, and some of a gorgeous pink tint. 



A few granules, only found in some specimens, re- 

 present the aborted shell. In chalky districts, how- 

 ever, some have a thick lump of nacreous matter under 

 the mantle. 



2. A. FLAVUS (yellow). 



This species is not so large as the last, averaging 

 three inches in length, but the tubercles of the body 

 are larger in proportion. It is of a yellow colour and 

 has a wide range. There is no shell. 



