WANDERINGS OF A GIGANTIC AFRICAN SNAIL. 45 



Though they are not known to prey upon each other in the 

 living state, these snails will greedily devour their dead rela- 

 tives. This habit has been utilized in Mauritius to reduce 

 their numbers in enclosed gardens. A few of the animals are 

 crushed and left in an open spot. Numbers of living snails are 

 attracted to feed upon the dead bodies. These, in their turn, 

 are killed and left as bait to collect others, the process being 

 repeated until there are no more snails within the range of 

 attraction. 



It is probable that the present excessive rate of increase is 

 abnormal. A newly introduced pest usually multiplies itself 

 out of all due proportion during the first few years of its exist- 

 ence in a new country, after which it gradually reverts to more 

 normal conditions. There are already indications that this 

 natural decline is taking place locally. 



