338 Rev. Mr. Lowe's Description of the 



Art. XLVI. Description of the Atiimal to which helongs 

 the Shell called, by the Baron de Ferur.sac, HelicoUmax 

 Lamarckii. By the Rev. R. T. Lowk. 



The general appearance of the animal is that of the common naked 

 Slug fLimaxJ with a very tumid cuirass ; its form being more or less 

 elongated, thickest in the middle, with the posterior extremity or tail 

 pointed. The neck is of moderate length, and when the animal is crawl- 

 ing, does not extend beyond the anterior edge of the cuirass more than 

 in Limax. When at rest, the head and neck are not withdrawn under 

 the cuirass, and the tentacula are only partially retracted. 



The Cuirass or Shield is properly an appendage to the collar, or that 

 portion of the mantle which, as in Helix, encircling the body, closes up 

 the pulmonary cavity within the aperture of the shell. But all this is 

 concealed by the cuirass itself and its lobes ; and the attachment beneath 

 of the cuirass to the collar in the centre of the former, and its origin 

 from it, are only ascertainable by particular examination ; not entering 

 with strict propriety into a mere description of external form. 



The fore part of the cuirass, between the anterior edge of the shell 

 and the neck, is perfectly free and loose, and is placed like a saddle or pad 

 upon the neck, which plays freely beneath it; so that when the animal is 

 forced to withdraw its head under this to avoid some obstacle presented 

 directly before it, the head is often put forth again immediately on one 

 side or the other almost at right angles with the rest of the body. When 

 thus forced to draw its head under the cuirass, the fore part of the latter is 

 sometimes brought down, and its edge closely applied to the surface on 

 which the animal is crawling. 



The posterior portion of the cuirass is extended or reflected over the 

 shell, so as to conceal it more or less according to circumstances. In its 

 natural condition, the shell is perfectly concealed by it; in which state 

 the animal has exactly the aspect of a Limax with a very tumid, uneven, 

 large, raised cuirass, as before stated : and thus it is always found in its 

 places of retreat under stones, when moist and in a healthy condition. 

 Removed from its natural abode, or after exposure to a free circulation 

 of air, there soon appears, first a sinus, then a deep wide slit up the 



