l6o WOTTON : LIFE-HISTORY OF ARION ATER. 



The 246 eggs is the largest number I have ever seen in one 

 batch. The animal commenced its task on the 13th October, 

 at ten a.m. Two hours later it had excluded 60. After this 

 the rate of deposit was much slower, for at twelve p.m. it had 

 only added 107. Between this time and eight the next morn- 

 ing thirty more appeared, and at three p.m., thirty hours after- 

 wards, it deposited an additional 49, the whole time occupied 

 being forty hours. The slug never altered from the position it 

 took up at first, but lay on the siirface of the ground with its 

 head drawn up underneath the mantle and inclined to the left 

 side, the mantle itself being lifted just above the reproductive 

 orifice. It took not the slightest notice when touched, even if 

 taken into the hand, but went unconcernedly on with its occu- 

 pation. Two hours after producing the last egg the Arion began 

 to move about in quest of food (having fasted for some 50 hours) 

 and finding the half of a raw potato quickly demolished it. After 

 this meal it went into the bath with seeming enjoyment, remain- 

 ing submerged for more than an hour. On emerging the crea- 

 ture looked as well as ever, but was considerably reduced from 

 its original size. 



Whilst the animal was excluding the eggs I kept a spoon in 

 a position to catch them as they fell ; when the spoon was full 

 I replaced it with an empty one. I was thus enabled to keep 

 the eggs clean, and also to count them correctly. The eggs, 

 which are somewhat whitish and semi-transparent, are loosely 

 cemented together by a mucous secreted by the slug. They 

 are generally deposited in secluded places, such as the interior 

 of decayed tree stumps, under stones and other substances, and 

 sometimes in holes sunk into the earth by the parent. In shape 

 they are slightly elliptical, and average in size 4 mm. by 3 mm. 

 Larger specimens sometimes occur, which measure 6 mm. by 

 5 mm. Here and there an egg will be found contracted in the 

 centre, as if a string were tied round it, giving it the appearance 

 of a double egg. * 



J.C, vii., Jan. iSgj. 



