SPECIES INTRODUCED 



141 



LIMAX MAXIMUS Linnaeus 



The slug Limax rnax'unus was introduced from European 

 countries. It is easily known by its large size, 6 inches (15 cm.) 

 when fullv extended. 



The body is elongated and subcylindrical and it has a strong 

 carina on the dorsal surface near the posterior end. The surface 

 is covered with elongated tubercles arranged longitudinally. The 

 middle of the back is ashy or light brown with stripes and 

 blotches of black arranged in longitudinal pattern. The sides are 

 lighter in color than the back, and the foot and under parts are 

 dirty white. 



The large, oval mantle, with tubercles arranged in an irreg- 

 ular concentric pattern, covers about a third of the body at the 

 anterior end. A large respiratory opening is at the posterior 

 margin of the mantle on the right side. The tentacles are short 

 and blunt. The peduncles are rather long and slender, and the 

 eyes are on swellings at the ends. 



Limax maximus, has a small, silvery- white, rudimentary 

 internal shell about one-half inch 

 (13 mm.) long, shown in the 

 small figure. This shell, which 

 is located beneath the mantle 

 over the respiratory cavity, pro- 

 tects the lung. 



This large slug is common in 

 many greenhouses in Chicago. At Xeoga, Cumberland County, 

 the slug was observed in a well of drinking water in the autumn 

 of 1932. It no doubt has been introduced in other places in 

 Illinois, but records are not known. It is abundant in other 

 parts of the United States. At Rochester, New York, Limax 

 maximus has spread over the city, and at present it may be 

 found in many residence yards. It is common in cellars where 

 there is considerable dampness. It is a voracious eater, and, 

 although its principal food consists of fungi, when in cellars 



