Azotes and Coiiiinejits. 



291 



THE TASK FOR NORTH-OF-ENGLAND CONCHOLOGISTS 



is now to investigate the recesses of such extensive and ancient 

 pine-woods as there may be in the Northern Counties of England, 

 conchologists having hitherto with one accord passed such 

 habitats by on the other side, so as to make for a district of 

 limestone soil where shells abound. 



In particular a close search ought to be made of the woods 

 round Shotley Bridge, in the county of Durham, whence came 

 the original record of 1853. 



Let then our north-country sluggists set forth and search 

 this autumn (for autumn is the real hey-day of Liniax tenelliLs\ 

 and send the results, all the slugs that can be found in such 

 spots, to Mr. W. Denison Roebuck or Mr. John W. Taylor, at 

 Horsforth, for identification. 



WHAT TO LOOK FOR. 



This new old slug is unmistakable to those who know slugs 

 in general, its black tentacles, its slender and graceful form, its 

 delicate waxy-like yellowness, and moderate size distinguishing 

 it from every other Limax. 



Indeed, it is more likely to be passed over by the field 

 observer for a species of quite another genus and family, not 

 in the least allied, and in this category it stands with Limax 

 cijiereo-niger. 



The latter in its completely black form looks in the field just 

 like the big black slug (Arion ater), so common by pathways, to 

 those who do not look carefully at the generic characters, such 

 as the sculpture of the mantle and the position of the breathing- 

 hole on the right side. 



In like manner L. te/iellus may be easily passed over for 

 delicately-tinted specimens of Avion suhfuscus. 



HOW TO SEND SLUGS. 



They should always be sent alive in tin boxes, which should 

 be air-tight without boring holes in them. The reasons are 

 three-fold ; first, it saves the unnecessary trouble of boring 

 holes ; second, small ones squeeze out through the holes ; and 

 lastly, it is important that the evaporation of their own moisture 

 be prevented. Finally, putrescible vegetable matters, such as 

 cabbage or lettuce-leaves or fungi should never be put in, for 

 they only decay and kill the animals. Damp moss is always 

 safe, and failing that, grass. 



1904 October i. 



