PHILOMYCIDAE 



131 



Family PHILOMYCIDAE 



The Philomycidae are a family of slugs in which the mantle 

 usually covers three-fourths or more of the length of the body, 

 instead of only the anterior part as in the family Limacidae. 

 The short tentacles of the Philomycidae are placed immediately 

 beneath the relatively short eye peduncles, which have a bulbous 

 termination carrying the eye. The comparatively large breathing 

 orifice is near the anterior extremity of the right side. Beneath 

 the mantle and near the posterior extremity is a rudimentary 

 shell that is connected with the outer surface of the inner mem- 

 brane of the body, but not with the mantle. It is very small 

 (0.5 mm.) in length, irregular in shape, of light horn color, 

 thin and wrinkled. 



Key to Genera 



Over 2 inches long; mantle covering entire body . Phi/omycus, p. 131 

 Less than 1 inch long; mantle covering all but anterior one- 

 sixth of body Pal/i/era, p. 132 



Genus PHILOMYCUS Rafinesque 



The genus Philomycus includes the larger slugs which have 

 the entire body covered by the mantle. This mantle is usually 

 marked with brown and black spots. 



PHILOMYCUS CAROLINIANUS (Bosc) 



The slug Philomycus carolinianiis is usually 2 to 3 inches 

 (5-8 cm.) in length, although specimens have been found meas- 

 uring 4 inches (10 cm.). The body is subcylindrical and elon- 



gated. It is flattened and narrowly rounded at the posterior end. 

 The mantle is covered with rough protuberances arranged 

 longitudinally. The back is yellow or whitish, variegated with 

 brown and black spots. These spots form three rather ill-defined 



