=Depositing and Hatching of Eggs: Self-fertilisation.=--There appears to be no doubt that Helices, when once impregnated, can lay successive batches of eggs, and possibly can continue laying for several years, without a further act of union. A specimen of _Helix aspersa_ was noticed in company with another on 5th August; on 9th August it laid eggs in the soil, and early in the following summer it laid a second batch of eggs, although its companion had been removed directly after its first introduction. An _Arion_ received from a distance laid 30 eggs on 5th September, and 70 more on the 23rd of the same month, although quite isolated during the whole time.[93] By far the most remarkable case of the kind is related by Gaskoin.[94] A specimen of _Helix lactea_ was kept in a drawer for about two years, and then in another drawer for about two years more. It was then taken out, and placed in water, when it revived, and was placed alone under a bell jar with earth and food. Six months after, about 30 young _H. lactea_ were found crawling on the glass, the act of oviposition not having been observed. The observations of Mr. F. W. Wotton,[95] with regard to the fertilisation and egg-laying of _Arion ater_, are of extreme interest and value. A pair of this species, kept in captivity, united on 10th September 1889, the act lasting about 25 minutes. From that date until the eggs were laid, the animals looked sickly, dull of colour, with a somewhat dry skin. Eggs were deposited in batches, one, which we will call _A_, beginning three days before _B_. On 10th October _A_ laid 80 eggs; on the 16th, 110; on the 25th, 77; on 8th November, 82; and on 17th November, 47; making a total of 396. Specimen _B_, which began on 13th October, three days after _A_, made up for the delay by laying 246 eggs in 40 hours; on 26th October it laid 9, on 10th November, 121; and on 30th November, 101; a total of 477. These eggs weighed 624 to the ounce, and, in excluding the batch of 246, _B_ parted with ⅜ of its own weight in 40 hours, while the whole number laid were rather over ¾ of its own weight! While depositing the eggs, the slug remained throughout in the same position on the surface of the ground, with the head drawn up underneath the mantle, which was lifted just above the reproductive orifice. When taken into the hand, it went on laying eggs without interruption or agitation of any kind. After it had finished laying it ate half a raw potato and then took a bath, remaining submerged for more than an hour. Bathing is a favourite pastime at all periods. Specimens, says Mr. Wotton, have survived a compulsory bath, with total submersion, of nearly three days’ duration.