210 HALF-HOURS IN THE GREEN LANES. 



its living on trees, particularly on the beech, from 



which it can let itself down like certain caterpillars, 



by means of its tenacious slime. This feat, however, 



is one that most slugs can perform, although they 



do not practise it to such a degree as the Tree slug. 



The latter can also climb up its suspended thread. A 



search under the fallen trees of a damp wood will 



discover this species, but it is not near so common 



as those just described. When adult, it is three 



inches long. Its tentacles are much shorter than 



those of L. maximus, and its colour is greyish, 



spotted with yellowish-white, with a central dusky 



stripe, and a dark band running down each side. 



Fig. 150. I n ^he neighbourhood of Norwich, and 



^^r- most cities and towns in the southerly 



(^^Pfei^ parts of England, another species (L. 



Sowerbii. Fie. 148) is common. It 



Jaw of Black Slue. ,., , , , -j.il 



5 may readily be known by its back 

 being ridged or " keeled " along its entire length. 

 When at its greatest extension it is about three 

 inches in length, the colour being yellowish-brown, 

 and that of the ridge amber. Hence it is one of 

 our prettiest species, and its shape being gracefuller 

 than any other slug, renders it easily recognisable. 

 It lays its eggs in the soil towards the end of the 

 year. Like other species of slugs, it is infested 

 with mites. The Jet Black slug (L. gagaies) is 

 another local species with a ridged back. It is of 

 a lead grey black, and sometimes even of a dark red 

 colour. When it is at rest, its back is arched in 



