138 



GENUS MILAX. 



Suhamalia of Pollonera and the MaUnastrum of Bourguignat, are confined 

 to the mountains and are probably the more ancient forms. The strongly 

 carinate species found in the Crimea, Greece, Transylvania, Austria, 

 Germany, and Italy, which have been classified under Tandonia and 

 Piminea of Lessona & Pollonera, are mostly of a reddish or brownish tint, 

 but more westwardly the reddish ground gradually disappears, the animals 

 becoming ochreous or black. 



The species of Milam are slow and sluggish in movement, possess a 

 thick skin, and secrete a tough and viscid mucus. According to Simroth, 

 they are essentially carnivorous and predaceous, though occasionally 

 devouring vegetable food. The duration of life in the Milaces is uncertain, 

 but Simroth thinks it extends over several years. 



Conjugation in Milax is not restricted to any particular season, but in 

 mild weather may take place at any period of the year, the act itself being 

 very prolonged ; Mr. Kew has observed it on one occasion to continue for 

 a space of seventeen hours, this lengthy ceremony being probably necessi- 

 tated by the time requisite for the formation and transference of the 

 elaborate spermatophore. 



Fossil. — A Milux (31. gracilior Sandberger) is recorded from the 

 Upper Miocene beds at Biberach, Wurtemburg, by Sandberger, but in 

 this country it has not been reported from any deposits lower than the 

 Pleistocene. 



Geographical Distribution. — This genus, according to Simroth, has 

 not naturally a wide distribution, as, excepting its occurrence in the extreme 

 points of Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, California, and several 

 oceanic islands, in all of which it may have been artificially introduced, its 

 range is, as far as at present known, confined chiefly to the Mediterranean 

 and European region. 



Fig. 155.— Oliverse and reverse of medal struck in 18G3 in honour of lit. and Mrs. Gray. 



