i'b'' 



The Nautilus. 



Vol. XVI. APRIL, 1903. No. 12. 



MOLLUSKS OCCURRING IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA. 



The following species, not lieretofore mafle known as occurring in' 

 Southern California, have been detected in Los Angeles and else- 

 where in this part of the State within the past two years. The large 

 slug Lirnax maximus first observed in the southeasterly part of Lo8 

 Angeles, has been quite numerous. It is found in considerable 

 abundance in many localities in the Walnut Grove Tract, including 

 my own grounds. Its color caused me to doubt its identity, so I 

 sent specimens to Dr. Pilsl)ry. He referred them to the foregoing 

 species with tlie comment, " that it was not the common form, but a 

 melanistic variety which I have never seen from the East." An- 

 other slug determined by Dr. Pilsbry for Mr. Williamson is Limax 

 Jiavas, occurring in Los Angeles, apparently rare as yet. In March, 

 last year, I detected a few examples of Punctam conspectum Bland, 

 on my lawn near the water faucet ; some 9 or 10 specimens ; these 

 were named by Professor Dall. I have failed to find further ex- 

 amples after careful search. Vallonia jmlchella, so exceedingly 

 abundant on my grounds in August, I'JOO (see the jVactii.us, Vol. 

 XIV, pp. 6.5-67) is now quite scarce. 



Mr. Hemphill reports Limax maximus as occurring in San Diego 

 in the nursery of the well known florist. Miss Kate O. Sessions of 

 that city. 



Tiie ap[)earance and disappearance of forms like V. pulchella and- 

 P. conspectum is not easily explained. 



Helix aspersa became exceedingly abundant on my preniises, so ■ 

 numerous as to be a pest; by persistent search it is now nearly ex-- 



