74 
LAND AND FRESH-WATER MOLLUSKS. 
decaying wood, or enveloping itself in dead 
leaves in damp situations. 
The eggs are white, and are deposited in a 
cluster under stones in spring. Like Avion ater , 
this Limax is infested with the slug-mite. 
Limax flavus — (the Yellow Slug) (PL VI., 
fig. 39).—This slug has a yellowish body, spotted 
with blackish-brown, and with numerous undu¬ 
lated or granulated ridges. The dental formula 
is The shield is short, broadly rounded 
behind, and marked with concentric granulated 
wrinkles. The shell is thin, very like that of L. 
maximus , but is smaller, about four lines long, 
and two and a half broad. It differs from L. 
maximus in having the end of the tail keeled, 
and in its inferior size and different markings. 
This large fleshy slug attains the length of four 
or five inches. 
Its slime is limpid and yellow, but when the 
animal is irritated it secretes a thick bluish-white 
mucus. 
The species is gregarious and active, and is 
commonly found in cellars and damp places in 
our large towns. At nightfall it sallies forth 
from its place of retreat to feast upon the 
refuse lying about; it cleans bones well, and is 
fond of boiled potatoes and table delicacies: 
they invariably retire to their quarters at the 
approach of morning. When a candle-light is 
