KEW: THE FACULTY OF FOOD-FINDING IN GASTROPODS., 159 
by observations recorded by Mr. E. Step, in 1883. The books were 
damaged, almost nightly, during a considerable period, and the slugs 
appear to have proceeded from time to time from secure hiding- 
places, for, though their slime-trails were often observed over the 
books and shelves, the animals themselves, which were carefully 
looked for, were not seen for about twelve months.! Mr. Gain has 
informed me that a yellow slug (Zimax flavus), as shown by its slime- 
trails, came nightly at one time to feed upon cream in his cellar, and it 
s 
the same kind ‘came regularly to a flour bag in which there 
happened to be a ue and, as he added, ‘it was only on my 
going to the bag one night that I found the slug gorging itself on the 
flour, although its slime-track had been observed fresh at intervals 
for upwards of a fortnight.* No doubt in cases of this kind the 
creatures are often largely guided by the scent of their food ; but the 
regular return of a slug to food which might possibly have been dis- 
covered accidentally, it must be noted, does not in itself necessarily 
imply that the food is scented ; for the creature may possibly rely 
upon its own trail or scent, or perhaps, wholly or in part, upon 
memory of direction and locality. The yellow slug which came 
nightly to feed upon cream certainly seems to have directed its 
course more by means of its former trails or by memory than by the 
part of the cellar it was found in the morning soit discon- 
solately’’ in the place where they had formerly sto 
The snail-slugs (Zestacelle), which feed chile on earthworms, 
and are said to hunt them underground, are presumably largely 
guided by scent. 
‘ E. Step, ‘ Science Gossip,’ xix. (1883), 163-164. 
® These cases have already been Sag ie awh m he Journal ; see p. 312 of the volume for 
Mr. iene mentions that fresh lea d lettuce, as he informs me), laid 
down from time to time in the asa that bes th ted might bi attracted to i and cAnED ts 
remained untouc Itish Pp 
for neither the grea’ gr ey sl e yell flavus), the kinds 
Most hkely to occur in a Theda \ idlaap hse: ating much gohcia I for beth leaves. 
f. Musson, Proc. Lin. Soc. N:S for 1890, (2), v. (1891). 893. Mr. Gosse has men- 
one that * Madibvadichisie S€a- saad Gat papillosa, maniets a kept in a aarge = of — 
along with man y kinds of narine a 
Seon returned pe it on being re: moved, sie on being ag: moved it ‘again returned, rien 
from a considerable distance’ (P. H. Gosse, ‘A Nitendo s Rambles on the Devonshire Coast,’ 
1853, pp. 15-6). 
y by gastropods, . Naturalist,’ 1890, pp- 307-318. 
