SLUGS. 
73 
numerous enemies, especially among birds: the 
principal of these are the blackbird and thrush, 
- whose notes 
Nice finger’d Art must emulate in vain. 
Ducks and geese are very partial to slugs. 
The Limaces when irritated withdraw their 
heads beneath the mantle; this attitude is also 
assumed during repose. 
Limas maximus (PI. V., fig. 32), so called from 
its being the largest of the slugs, attains the 
length of five or six inches. This large grey 
slug is spotted and striped with black. The shell 
is thin, flat, oblong, about six lines long and 
four broad. The dental formula is 90 ^-. 
This species is widely distributed, is a frequent 
visitor to our pantries and cellars, lurking in 
damp corners, or remaining concealed in the 
dust-bins, or other sheltered situations, during 
the day; foraging during the night, its peram¬ 
bulations are rendered distinctly visible by its 
trail, for the thick glutinous slime which is 
copiously exuded becomes very iridescent when 
dry. It is very omnivorous, preferring certainly, 
as indicated by its attachment to the dwellings 
of man, the refuse from our kitchens and the 
delicacies of our tables when within its reach. 
It is, however, frequent in moist woods, hyber- 
nating in the mossy crevices of trees, or in 
