inspired by a pneumostone

in other words, an opening in the right side of a snail or slug. I had decided to look closely at this fine specimen of a pulmonate mollusk in order to modify my dislike of the beast. It was travelling very slowly down our drive so it was much easier to blip than the spider I found recently.

The hole looked remarkably as if he had been attacked by a fellow slug, but Google informs me that it is a breathing hole which works in conjunction with the creature's one lung. Apparently he opens his pneumostone only once every two minutes. If he breathes that slowly, how does he manage to eat our clematis faster than it can grow?

I must remember, however, that slugs play an important role in our ecosystem, eating dead leaves, fungus, and decaying vegetable material. They make a tasty morsel for blackbirds and thrushes too.

I have gained a little more respect for the creature, but I don't think I'll be leading a 'save our slugs' campaign any time soon.