er | Pa Becees errs I isaceve ores Digitized by the Internet Archive In 2007 with funding from Microsoft Corporation http://www.archive.org/details/coleopteraofbrit03fowluoft 5 4 i i j \ > —_— . ‘ 1 ‘ i | = ‘ ee ‘ “ Ps a) aad ! ' Z | ! | ‘ s ’ ‘ f . : : 7 e iy 4 + +k sad - 4 MH { ‘ ‘ * , + 4 \ : _ 3 Ss Ae THE COLEOPTHRA oF THE BRITISH ISLANDS. A ‘DESCRIPTIVE ACCOUNT OF THE FAMILIES, GENERA, AND . SPECIES INDIGENOUS TO GREAT BRITAIN AND IRELAND, WITH NOTES AS TO LOCALITIES, HABITATS, ETC. BY THE REV. CANON FOWLER, M.A., F.L.S. Srorerary To THE Entomotoaicat Socrety or LonDON, AND Eprror (ror CoLrorrERa) oF THE “ENnromonoaist’s Montaty Magazine.” VOL. III. CLAVICORNIA (LEPTINIDZ-HETEROCERID&.) gou yer LONDON : L. REEVE AND CoO., 5, HENRIETTA STREET, COVENT GARDEN 1889. : ad _ a *\. tee > . oe s Li 7 Fic. Se SSS Se ee — — © . ila, ‘be 18. PLATE LXXI. Leptinus testaceus, Mull. Calyptomerus dubius, Marsh. Clambus pubescens, Pedi. Agathidium nigripenne, Auy. - atrum, Payk. ss seminulum, L. rs varians, Beck. o rhinoceros, Sharp. Ampbhicyllis globus, /. ar » ¥v. ferrugineum, Sturm. Liodes humeralis, Kug. $9 ” antenna. » glabra, Aug. » castanea, Herbst. R.Morgan, del et hth Vincent Brooks Day & Son imp L Reeve &C? London. y - “/_ mi ot ‘he. PLATE LXXII. ——- Fic. 1. Anisotoma cinnamomea, Panz. 2. e obesa, Schinidt. 3. Fe punctulata, Gy/l. 4, ns calearata, Er. 5. 3 nigrita, Schmidt. 6. ” rugosa, Steph. 7. 5 parvula, Sahib, 8. a ciliaris, Schmidt. 9. Colenis dentipes, Gyll. 9a. <5 ” antenna. 10. Agaricophagus conformis, Er. 11. Hydnobius Perrisi, Fatrm. 12, punctatissimus, Steph. 13. ‘ strigosus, Sehmide. PLATE 72. R.Morgan, del et ith, Vincent Brooks Day & Son inp L Reeve &C° London. ae ss —4 a, o ‘ i feat AY er bc wre SE EF SLi § aa ay * : ba eA tty pis .* j ~~ ' . Aat fs. rk tj Vea SK: ee, Fie. fo" SSS St me —_— — aes PLATE LXXIII. Necrophorus humator, Ff’. » vestigator, Hers. % interruptus, Steph. 4 ruspator, #r. = mortuorum, F’. vespillo, Z. Necrodes littoralis, Z. (male). A (female). ” Silpha tristis, 71. » nhigrita, Creutz. » obscura, L. », quadripunctata, L. » reticulata, /. a 8 : | | | R Morgan del, et uth. Vincent Brooks Day & Son Imp L Reeve & C2 London Fig. re ll a eer PC ONaarernnr PLATE LXXIV. ee Silpha opaca, L. »» thoracica, L. » rugosa, D. » sinuata, F’. , dispar, Herbst. , levigata, F. » atrata, L. a ge v. subrotundata, Steph. Choleva angustata, F’. A spadicea, Sturm. ee velox, Spence. 2 Wilkini, Spence. re anisotomoides, Spence. PLATE 74 8. 4 R-Morgan del, et th. Vincent Brooks ,Day & Son Imp L-Reeve & C°London, PLATE LXXV. Choleva agilis, Z7/. » fusca, Panz. » nhigricans, Spence. tristis, Panz. 9 + antenna. grandicollis, Er. chrysomeloides, Panz. * Watsoni, Spence. Catops sericeus, F’. Bathyscia Wollastoni, Jans. Colon dentipes, var. Zebei, Kr. (male). brunneum, Latr. antenna. ” ” ” » latum, Kr. Spherites glabratus, J’. R Morgan, del et Lith. Vincent Brooks,Day & SonImp. L. Reeve C° London. PLATE LXXVI. oe Neuraphes angulatus, Mull. Bs Sparshalli, Denny. Scydmenus Godarti, Latr. " collaris, Mull. = seutellaris, Mull. Euconnus denticornis, Mull. (female). 5 hirticollis, ZZ. Eumicrus tarsatus, Mill. Cephennium thoracicum, Mill. Euthia seydmenoides, Steph. » Schaumi, Kies. Claviger testaceus, Preyss. Pselaphus Heisei, Herbst. 5 » antenna. PLATE 76 R.Morgan delet hth, Vincent Brooks, Day & San Imp. L.Reeve &C° London. PLATE LXXVIL. . a Fic. 1, Pselaphus dresdensis, Horie 8 Tychus niger, Payk. sy ‘Qa. » 9» antenna of male. ‘Bythinus puncticollis, Denny. Bs bulbifer, Reich. ge arab Denny. Shan Ou een pees of male. _ eg maxillary pajpoter ee Reich, = — eet ae maxillary palpus. -,, antenna of male. — "Burrell, Denny. ge 5» antenna of male. » maxillary palpus. - glabratus, Rye. a 2 as a maxillary palpus. =~ ‘ . ». “ ok i a ath 5 5 Riybaxio sangiines, Ee +s “re fossulata, Reich. _-hematica, Reich. oY aoe abdomen in male (ties Mist oy ea) Mae . juncorum, Leach. -impressa, Panz. R.Morgan, del et lth Vincent Brooks Day & Son Imp LReeve & C? London. *¥ Fig. 1. go po Sree: BAe PLATE LXXVIII. : y Batrisus venustus, Reich. Trichonyx sulcicollis, Reich. be Trimium brevicorne, Reich. an Euplectus nanus, Reich, a te ay »_ ,Makiteni, Reich - 2 Ves = 7 aegieee __» — signatus, Reich. te yee Oe as » minutissimus, dubé, Beis 2 sy pleeus, Mots, (nigricans, Denny) © Bibloporus bicolor, Denny. — cf tap Se Ptinella testacea, Heer, a » denticollis, Fairm. ; Pteryx suturalis, Heer. R.Morgan, del et hth I L Reeve &C° London. PLATE 78 3 : 8 I Vincent Brooks Day & Son inp PLATE see — Actinopteryx fucico'a, All. :, 2. Trichopteryx atomaria, De G. ea, 3. 3 “grandicollis, Mann, - <2 5 seek 4. _ brevipennis, Er, ae ee ae is anterior tarsus of wala ae ‘ 4b. a = te ee WB, ~ see female. = eet Oe b longula, Matth. =e 6. ~—s ambigua, Mutth. ; : 7. austere filicornis, Matth, = . 8, ephanes Titan, Newm. | _ eee . 9. ‘Ptilium Kunzei, Heer. | xs ; 10; | “Spence, ait | 2 Li. a caledonicum, Sharp. 12. » exaratum, All. ‘ = ae | » cxesum, Er. i : ’ m : bg f. - 7 | =, wT i ve Op yi. .) ——— ss PLATE 72 5 | 1 6 ; 0 | 7 13. 1 RMorgan, del et ith. Vincent Brooks, Day & San Imp L.Reeve & C2 London ‘ 2 Oe AL ee aa a PLATH LXXX. Fic. 1. Millidium trisuleatum, Aubé. ‘ 2. Actidium coaretatum, Hal. . 3. Euryptiliam saxonicum, Gillm. F 32 4. Nossidium pilosellum, Marsh. ie % * 5. Ptenidium punetatum, Gyll. — A . 16. »» evanescens, Marsh, > a : 6a. ” ” labium. ; hs rt 6b. Ja diye 4 ee ta se Gressneri, Er. : a eee 8. -Orthoperus atomus, Gyll. 4 > ye: Re atomarius, Heer. 2% 230. Corylophus Seenidion tens Marsh. , 10a. »— Maxilla, ; “$3; beat sdomnd lateralis, Gyll. ‘ ~ es Fa Fi. : 12. Sacium pusillum, Gyll. ae 13. Spherius acaroides, Walil. A. Trichopteryx, wing (after Matthews), B. ae larva | eo ee C. . -,, mandible PLATE 80. R Morgan. del, & ith. E “Vincent Brooks,Day & Son Imp L Reeve & C2 London. 7 ey 5, Bje ee ak edsieshh f -— Pav | ‘ i i a NS Wate od | = ah Pe ee oe Pure 2 PLATE LXXXI. Fic. 1. Phalacrus corruseus, Payk. eee 2. Olibrus eneus, F. a ae 3. Stilbus testaceus, Panz. (oonsimélis, Mase): - a ed Subcoccinella vigintiquatuorpunctata, prechans ; globosa, at a "ae, Sitelania tredecimpunctata, Ree ee Pz 3 6. Anisosticta novemdecimpunctata, Z. 7. Adalia bothnica v. crucifera, Weise. oe 8. ,, bipunetata, Z. ae apes fi 9. 4, obliterata, Z. et ae : (10. Mysia oblongoguttata, . eee 11. Anatis ocellata, L. | ; “oe 12. Coceinella quinquepunctata, Z. st 13. » septempunetata, L. PLATE &l R-Morgan del, et hth. ‘Ancertt Brooks Day & Son Imp L.Reeve & C° London. a Jae = + Oe ee “A ie? - 27 = i ce i een - Sane ate wo be jet ped Nrooans _ Hyperaspis reppensis, Herbst. — et PLATE LXXXII. Coccinella decempunetata, L. (variabilis, Ill.). — Halyzia octodecimguttata, LZ. - » quatuordecimguttata, LZ. » sedecimguttata, LD. ae », conglobata, L. (quatuordesimpunctata, ise “ eae 3 », Vigintiduopunctata, L. . : iad Micraspis sedecimpunctata, L. (vw. 12- -pun*tata, L). Platynaspis luteorubra, Gioeze ns, Bone.) Seymnus frontalis, F. » nhigrinus, Kug. » hemorrhoidalis, Herbst. » suturalis, Thunb. (discoideus, Ill.). PLATE (CY DO R.Morgan del, et lith. Vincent Brooks,Day &Sonimp. L Reeve & C2 London, PLATE LXXXIIL a - ———= » aes Gittneun: Mots. (Mulsanti, ‘Wat.). 2 Chilocorus similis, Rossi ee. Seriba). Exochomus quadripustulatus, L Rhizobius litura, F. Coccidula rufa, Herbst. ee seutellata, Herbst. Symbiotes latus, Redt. -Mycetea hirta, Marsh. Alexia pilifera, Mill. Lycoperdina bovistz, F’. Endomychus coccineus, L. - Daene rufifrons, F. 4, -humeralis, F. PLATE 83, R. Morgan del, et hth. Vincent Brooks Day & Soninp. L. Reeve & C° London PLATE LXXXIV. of ‘ Triplax russica, L. », enea, Schall. Cyrtotriplax bipustulata, PF. Aglenus brunneus, Gyll. | Colydium elongatum, F. Teredus nitidus, F. » Oxylemus eylindricus, Panz. Orthocerus muticus, L. 8a. - / 4° antenna. ae iBadenbocas spinulosus, faite, f 10. Ditoma crenata, /. ¥ iM Synchita juglandis, gly 12. Cicones variegatus, Hellw. e 13. Myrmecoxenus apes, Guér. rt nN Iz 13 R. Morgan del et hth, L Reeve & C° London. Vincent Brooks Day & Son imp . Ants) Xv PLATE LXXXV. Fic. 1. Langelandia anophthalma, Aubé. 2. Cerylon histeroides, F. e Ae fagi, var. excavatum, Fowler. % » ferrugineum, Steph. -Marmidius ovalis, Beck. 6 _ Hister quadrimaculatus, L. . ae ” antenna. 5» ¢adaverinus, Hof. purpurascens, Herbst. » bissexstriatus, 7. . 4, bimaculatus, L. iM, Gacdlage minima, Aubé. 12. Paromalus flavicornis, Herbst. 13. Heterius sesquicornis, Ol. R.Morgan del, et hth. - Vincent Brooks Dav & Sarin LReeve & C° London. ‘PLATE LXXXVI. * : 2 —_—— Fie. 1. Dendrophilus pygmeus, Z. ee " antenna. — 2. Myrmetes piceus, Payk. ; 3. Saprinus nitidulus, Payk. eee immundus, Gyil. 5B. .y,__-Vireseens, Payk. ou, tr eS, Sr pe a teees Steph. oi eta eee es , 7. Teretrius picipes, FP. ee aa yee "Plegaderus Biacebluk Ee. Meee ee ors 9. Abreus globosus, Hof. Siig ive ele = : ye 10. Acritus minutus, Herbst. ‘ae > ee “11. punetum, Aubé. So eal : . 12. pasoperce globosulus, Ol. (sulcatus, F. y 13. Saree cheats f. R.Morgan, del et ih LReeve & CO Tondon Vincent Brosks Day & SonImp : A te ai Ae ee . Fie. 1. Micropeplus margarite, Dita ee hoops Re he tesserula, Curt. 2a. sad ae Pa antenna. poe Ae 3. Brecbypipeas gravidus, Jil. Bre gc beige ks hee bint, 9 maxilla. Lye or _ » — urtiew, Kug, = an | 5. ee pedicularius, L. | “a - : Sos oe ee 6. ~~ +4, ~—‘rufilabris, Latr. — Lakers SY Bape, Bee irl as 9 Carpophilus hemipterus, ta fae Ic ee BAT jy oe aiititilatas, Baer 8: he ee 9. Epurea decemguttata, F. ua ae = Reee Ogee 5 aes ftints rs 2 = 2 GE ee Sai ee | ae 11. —,,_— longula, Er. — 7 | z TR 5, ~~ delete, Er., var. sas 13. ,,_— parvula, Sturm. R.Mor§gan, del. et lth. Vincent Brooks,Day & Son imp. L Reeve & C° Landon. s ~ § 3 eee Y =) . re a "— 7ak 7\ ~ Pe. a Fic. Se ee eh ae . PLATE LXXXVIII. 2 Pe: he oe Epurea pusilla, Er. » angustula, Hr. Omosiphora limbata, /’. Micrurula melanocephala, Marsh. Nitidula bipustulata, Z, », quadripustulata, F. » rufipes, Z. : » flexuosa, J. Soronia grisea, L. Amphotis marginata, Zr. Omosita depressa, L, » colon, Z. — : discoidea, F. PLATE 8? 8 é& R Morgan, del et lith Vincent Brooks Day San imp. L Reeve &C° London. a = 5 ey Pee Tol a Pras ind Bi | mae; = eh oe eotead / PLATE LXXXIX. Thalyera sericea, Sturm. Pocadius ferrugineus, F. Pria dulcamarz, Scop. Meligethes rufipes, Gyll. anterior tibia. 9 32 a ewneus, Ff. ” », anterior tibia. $3 virideseens, J’. 9 ey anterior tibia. » - 4ifficilis, Heer. anterior tibia. 99 ” os viduatus, Sturm. 3 mn anterior tibia. bidens, Bris. — », anterior tibia. hat umbrosus, Sturm. a anterior tibia. ~ picipes, Sturm. ” », anterior tibia. symphyti, Heer. ” s anterior tibia. ” serripes, Gyll. ” te anterior tibia. RMorgan del, et lith. LReeve & C® London. Vincent Brooks Day & Son Imp. ee OU eat tas ot ae ~ a o rap ee? Ss ve Ligtastys 4 LPS “* PLATE XC. Fic. 1. Meligethes murinus, Er. la. - * anterior tibia. 2 obsenrus, Er. 2a. - ,», margin of forehead. 2b. + » anterior tibia. 2¢. pe » anterior tarsus of male. 3. * erythropus, Gyll. a 3a. 4 Pad anterior tibia. 4, = exilis, Sturm. 4a. Fe » margin of forehead. 4b, Pr », anterior tibia. 5. 3 solidus, Kug. 5a. ay » margin of forehead. 5b. a a “anterior tibia. 6. 4, _- brevis, Sturm. 6a. se » margin of forehead. 6b. * » anterior tibia. 7. Cychramus luteus, J. 8. Cryptarcha strigata, P. 9. a imperialis, F. -10. Ips quadriguttata, F. 11. ,, quadripunctata, Herbst. 12. ,, quadripustulata, L. 13. Pityophagus ferrugineus, F. PLATE 90 R.Morgan, del et lith. Vincent Brooks Day &Son imp. L Reeve & C? London. PLATE XCI. Fie. 1. Rhizophagus depressus, F. 2. ne eribratus, Gyil. 3. - nitidulus, F. 4. Ss bipustulatus, 7. 4a. i “= antenna. 4b. - 3 posterior tarsus of male. de. Fs Pe anterior leg. 5. Nemosoma elongatum, L. 6. Tenebrioides mauritanicus, L. 7. Thymalus limbatus, /. 8. Monotoma conicicollis, Awbé. 9 * spinicollis, Aubé. 10, My sub-4-foveolata, Wat. 11. Holoparamecus depressus, Curt. lla. nf x leg. 11b. an Re antenna of male. 12. Anommatus 12-striatus, Wesm. 13. Lathridius lardarius, De G. PLATE 91 R.Morgan del, et lith, Vincent Brooks,Day & Son Imp. LReeve & C° London ve PLATE XOIL. Fic. 1. Coninomus nodifer, Westw. 2. Eniemus transversus, Ol, 3. Ps mioutus, L. 4. », testaceus, Steph. 5. Cartodere elongata, Curt. 5a. cre * antenna. 6. » filum, Aubé. 7. Corticaria pubescens, (yl. 8. » Uumbilicata, Beck. (cylindrica Manuh). 9. —ee ns transversalis, var. Wollastoni, Wat. 10. — — falvipes, Com. (curta Woll.). 11. Pediacus depressus, Herbst, i2. Lemophleus bimaculatus, Payk. 13. = ater, Ol. 6 ; ; ] 9 dg t | ; 1 Ze 13. R.Morgan del, et lith. Vincent Brooks,Day & Son Imp L. Reeve & C° London. PLATE XCIII. Fie. 1 Lemophlcus clematidis, Hr. 2. Dendrophagus crenatus, Payk. 3. Brontes planatus, LZ. 4, Psammeechus bipunctatus, /. 5. Hypocoprus latridioides, Mots. 6. Nausibius dentatus, Marsh. 7. Silvanus surinamensis, Z. 8 39 similis, Hr. 9. Cathartus advena, Waltl. 10. Byturus tomentosus, F. 10a. +5 % tarsus. 11. Diphyllus lunatus, F. 12. Diploccelus fagi, Guer. 13. Telmatophilus sparganii, Ahr. RMorgan, del et lith. t 12. L.Reeve & C° London. 18 VincenttBrooks,Day & Son Imp 1 “a fda - * a i \ od a fe et a Umer wae a eee Ae Soe Be > a Fig. a a) oo ial 13. tied YR a lt Re oo PLATE XCIV. Telmatophilus caricis, OJ. Antherophagus nigricornis, F. piss pallens, Gyll. Cryptophagus lycoperdi, Herbst. ; populi, Payk. ~ ” es saginatus, Sturm. ss ruficornis, Steph. — n cylindrus, Kies. (parallelus, Bris.). ss acutangulus, Gy/l. + ~ bicolor, Sturm. Sar pubescens, Sturn. Micrambe vini, Panz. Paramecosoma melanocephalum, Herbst. R.Morgan del et lith. Vincent Brooks Day & Son Imp L Reeve & C° London. PLATE XOV. Fic. 1. Cenoscelis ferruginea, Thoms. 2. Atomaria fimetarii, Herbst. 3. a nigriventris, Steph. (nana, Er.). linearis, Steph. fuscipes, Gyll. gutta, Steph. mesomelas, Herbst. nigripennis, Payk. ruficornis, Marsh. 10. Ephistemus gyrinoides, Marsh. 11. Scaphidium quadrimaculatum, Ol. LIB, Sr as ‘Ss antenna. 12. Scaphisoma agaricinum, L. 13. Typha fumata, L. 18a. » 9 antenna. 13b. a ;» anterior tarsus. of male. 13ce. me »» ordinary tarsus. >? R Morgan del et ith Vincent Brooks Day & Son Imp L-Reeve & C° London ry ae mere PLATE XOVI. Fig. 1. Triphyllus punctatus, F. 2, Litargus bifasciatus, 7. 3 Ga ee geo quadripustulatus, L. so Z piceus, F, Gr Whe a atomarius, F. 6. sik multipunctatus, ae. ie populi, F. | Se Sar quadriguttatus, Mill. 9. Dermestes vulpinus, F. 10. 4, tessellatus, Z77, lardarius, L. * antenna. 12. Attagenus pellio, Z 8 13. trifasciatus, F, (verbasci, L) 9 & n® 1 R Morgan, del etlith 0 L Reeve & C° London Vnicent Brooks, Day & SonImp 13. 13a PLATE XCVII. Megatoma undata, Hr. Tiresias serra, F, Anthrenus scrophulariz, L. . Club of sub-genus Anthrenus, i. sp. . Club of sub-genus Florilinus, Muls. . Club of sub-genus Helocerus, Muls. Anthrenus varius, fF. Trinodes hirtus, F. Syncalypta setigera, 71. Byrrhus pilula, L. om dorsalis, F. Cytilus varius, F. Morychus eneus, F. Simplocaria semistriata, /. Limnichus pygmeus, Sturm. Aspidiphorus orbiculatus, Gy//. Pea Re antenna, R. Morgan, del. et lith. Vincent Brooks Day & Son, Imp L.Reeve & C° London. Fig. PLATE XOVIII. Georyssus pygmeus, F. Elmis eeneus, Mill. » Wolkmari, Panz. » parallelopipedus, Mill. Limnius tuberculatus, Jill. Macronychus quadrituberculatus, Mull. Potaminus substriatus, Mill. sagas Js antenna. Parnus prolifericornis, F. ~ auriculatus, Panz Heterocerus femoralis, Kzes. x levigatus, Panz. 5 fusculus, Kies. 53 sericans, Kies. R.Morgan, del et lith, L.Reeve & C° London. PLATE 98. Vincent Brooks Day & San, imp. COLEKOPTERA. CLAVICORNIA (continued). Tus division of the Coleoptera, as has been already observed (vol. i. p. 217), must be regarded as more or less artificial, and as adopted for the sake of convenience, rather than as being scientifically aécurate, and perhaps it must be admitted that the more the various forms are studied, the more obvious does it become that the division is a very loose one, and that certain of its members present such close affinities to other families that they can hardly be separated from them ; in fact, it seems more than probable that the term Clavicornia, as applied to a group, will, sooner or later, be abandoned altogether; as, however, it has already been adopted in this work, it seems the best course still to retain it; the group Clavicornia is therefore regarded as containing the Hydrophilide (vol. i. pp. 217-261), the Staphylinide (vol. ii.), and the whole of the various families contained in the present volume; the Staphylinidx have been, for convenience’ sake, placed in a separate volume, but, as a matter of fact, their proper position appears to be between the Pselaphidse (Euplectus) on the one hand, and the Trichopterygidz (Ptinella) on the other ; in one sense, therefore, the present volume commencing with the Leptinide and Silphide, ought rather to be regarded as the second and not the third volume, the order of the families being Hydrophilida, Leptinide, Silphidwe, Scydmenidew, Pselaphide, Staphylinide, Trichop- terygide, &c. As regards the arrangement of the Clavicorn series I have followed almost entirely that of the catalogue published by the Rev. A. Matthews and myself in 1883; Mr Matthews has studied the anatomy of the group almost more than any other Coleopterist, and his arrangement will, in most points, be found to be correct and logical; at the same time it must be borne in mind that it is perfectly impossible to construct any linear arrangement or tabulated synopsis of the families ; their affinities are so intermingled and so closely inosculate one with another, that all attempts to do this have proved utterly unsatisfactory, and, for all prac- tical purposes, worse than useless. I have therefore merely given below the chief characters of each family, being convinced that to draw up a practically useful dichotomous table of the families is an impossibility. I am largely indebted to the work on the Classification of the Coleoptera of North America, by Dr. Leconte and Dr. Horn, for many of the VOL. III. B | 2 CLAVICORNIA. characters I have adopted, and beg here to express my obligation to their work generally, but I cannot help thinking that their table of the Clavicorn families (Introduction, p. xxxi) would tend far rather to mystify than to instruct the ordinary student of Coleoptera, and yet it is probably the best yet published ; in no group is a general acquaintance with forms more needed, as there are a very large number of obscure and closely allied genera contained in the various families; every student, therefore, is strongly recommended to make himself acquainted with as many members of the group as possible superficially, before he begins to study the complex as a whole. Hydrophilide. This family is chiefly distinguished by the great development of the maxillary palpi; these in many instances are several times longer than the antennz, which are inserted under the sides of the front, and are composed of from six to nine joints and terminate in a club, which is usually 3-jointed ; the abdomen is made up of five, rarely seven, free segments; the tarsi are all five-jointed, and the middle and posterior tibie are often ciliate and compressed for swimming ; the size is very variable (from 4mm. to 48mm.). Leptinide. Closely allied to the Silphide, but differing in their transverse mentum, long filiform antenne, small anterior cox, very short metasternum, and the fact that the sternal epipleure of the elytra are almost obsolete or very little pronounced ; eyes entirely wanting or represented by translucent eye spots; size small. Silphide. Mentum quadrate, antenne straight, inserted under the margin of the front, 11-jointed, rarely 9- or 10-jointed, thickened towards apex or more often furnished with a club; eyes finely granu- lated, sometimes absent ; thorax margined ; anterior coxe large, conical and contiguous; abdomen composed of five or six ventral segments ; elytra often not covering the whole body; legs sometimes stout, some- times slender ; tibiee, as a rule, spinose externally ; tarsi usually, but not always, 5-jointed ; size very variable (} mm, to 30 mm.). Scydmenide. Mentum transverse: antenne 11-jointed, inserted upon the front, thickened or clavate ; maxillary palpi long with the last joint very small; anterior coxe subovate, contiguous; thorax not or scarcely transverse ; elytra covering the abdomen entirely or with the pygidium rarely exposed (as in Euthia) ; abdomen with five or six free ventral segments ; legs moderately long, tarsi 5-jointed with the claws simple ; size very small, Clavigeride. Allied to the Pselaphide, but distinguished by having the joints of the antennz varying in number from two to six and the palpi one-jointed and rudimentary ; the head is long and cylindrical, and the basal segments of the abdomen are connate and deeply excavated ; size very small. Pselaphidee. Mentum small, more or less quadrate ; antenne in- CLAVICORNIA. 3 serted on the front above the base of the mandibles, as a rule 11-jointed ; maxillary palpi usually very long; anterior coxw conical, contiguous ; thorax very variable ; elytra very much abbreviated, leaving a great part of the abdomen exposed ; abdomen composed of six or seven free ventral segments ; legs long with the femora usually clavate ; tarsi 3-jointed with the claws equal or unequal and very often single ; size very small. Staphylinide. The characters of this family will be found fully discussed at the beginning of vol. ii.; the principal distinguishing ones are as follows :—Elytra truncate, with a straight suture, never dehiscent, very much abbreviated, so that the greater part of the abdomen is exposed (except in rare instances) ; wings when present completely folded beneath the elytra; abdomen or hind body composed of seven segments, all freely movable, and all entirely, or almost entirely, corneous, even when more or less hidden by the elytra ; size very variable ({ mm. to 28 mm.). Trichopterygide. This family contains the most minute of all Coleoptera ; its genera may be known by their pedunculated lanceolate wings which are fringed on both sides with long sete, and by their 3-jointed tarsi ; the maxille are bilobed; their antennz are generally long and very slender and ornamented with long verticillated hairs ; the last three joints usually form an elongate club; they vary much in outward form, and in many characters exhibit a close affinity to the Staphylinide, from which they appear to lead by an easy gradation into the other Clavicorn groups. Corylophidz. The members of this family are very small oval or round convex insects, which are very closely related to the Trichoptery- gide through having their wings fringed with long hairs; the wings, however, are much shorter, and the species are further distinguished by having the maxille unilobed and the tarsi 4-jointed (the third joint being small and concealed in an emargination of the second joint); the - abdomen is composed of six free ventral segments. Spheeriide. Only one genus is contained in this family, which is closely allied to both the Trichopterygide and the Corylophide ; the wings are fringed with long hairs; the maxille have two lobes;* the antenne are 11-jointed with a loose 3-jointed club; the abdomen is composed of only three ventral segments, and the tarsi are 3-jointed ; the form is very small, round, and convex, the upper surface being glabrous and very shining. Phalacride. ‘his family contains a few genera of small ovate or subhemispherical insects which are very shiny and almost, if not quite, glabrous ; the head is sunk in the thorax, with the eyes half hidden ; antenne inserted under the elevated margin of the forehead, 11-jointed, * According to the generally received opinion, the maxilla of Spherius have only one lobe, but Mr. Matthews has lately discovered that they are really bilobed. B 2 4 CLAVICORNIA. : with the last three joints forming a club ; maxille with two lobes; anterior cox globular; thorax as broad as elytra, margined at sides ; elytra entirely covering abdomen; legs short and rather stout, tarsi 5-jointed, claws armed with a tooth at base; size small. Coccinellide. Form usually rounded, seldom oval, convex, often subhemispherical, usually shining and glabrous, but in some genera strongly pubescent ; antennze usually 11-jointed, terminated by a more or less distinct club, inserted on the forehead near eyes ; mandibles, as a rule, concealed ; maxille with two lobes; thorax transverse and usually short, anterior coxal cavities, except in one or two genera, closed behind ; elytra covering abdomen, which is composed as arule of five free ventral segments (sometimes of six or seven), the first being furnished with more or less distinct coxal lines; legs short, more or less retractile, tarsi apparently 3-jointed, but really 4-jointed, the third joint being very minute and concealed in the lobes of the second joint ; claws appendiculate or toothed. - Endomychide. This family is closely allied to the preceding ; the species that belong to it, however, are more elongate in form and usually are furnished with a transverse groove before base of thorax and a longitudinal impression on each side ; the antennz and legs are longer and the anterior coxal cavities are always open behind; the chief difference, however, appears to lie in the fact that the claws are simple and the first ventral segment has no coxal lines; the tarsi are plainly 4-jointed,* or apparently 3-jointed, the third joint being very small and concealed. ' Erotylide. The members of this family are closely allied to the preceding, but may be easily distinguished by having the anterior coxal cavities closed behind ; from all the species of the Endomychide except the Mycetenia, they may be known by having the tarsi distinctly 4-jointed, and, occasionally, 5-jointed ; the antenne are 11-jointed and are inserted at the sides of the forehead, with the last three or four joints forming a distinct club; the thorax is distinctly margined ; the elytra completely cover the abdomen, which is composed of five usually equal segments ; the legs are moderately long and the claws are simple. Colydiide. The members of this family are distinguished by their usually elongate or cylindrical form, small globular anterior and middle cox, and simple 4-jointed tarsi ; the upper surface is, as a rule, shining and glabrous ; the antennz are inserted under the margin of the front, and are short, 10- or 11-jointed, rarely 8-jointed, and terminate in a small club ; the anterior coxal cavities are almost always closed behind ; the elytra always cover the abdomen, which is composed of five ventral segments, the first being the largest, * This is only the case with the Mycetzina which might perhaps, with advantage, be formed into a separate fumily. CLAVICORNIA. 5 Histeridve. This family is very well defined, and its members are, with few exceptions, oval or oblong-oval insects, of a shining black or brownish colour, glabrous, with the elytra sculptured with very distinct stria ; the size is variable, some ef the genera being rather large and some (as Acritus) very minute ; the antennez are short, geniculate, and usually received in grooves beneath the thorax, and terminate in a very compact club; the anterior. coxal cavities are open behind ; the elytra are truncate behind, leaving the pygidium and propygidium exposed ; the abdomen is composed of five ventral segments, the first being the largest ; the legs are short and retractile, with the tibizee compressed and the anterior pair almost always toothed; the tarsi are 5-jointed (except in Acritus and one or two other genera where they are heteromerous), and the anterior pair at least are received in grooves on the tibiz. Micropeplide. This aberrant family has been by many authors included under the Staphylinide by reason of the much abbreviated elytra: its present position, however, seems more natural; the antenne are received in a cavity beneath the margin of the thorax, and are terminated by an obsoletely 3-jointed, almost solid, club; they are inserted under the sides of the forehead; all the coxe are distant, and the anterior coxal cavities are open behind ; the abdomen is composed of six segments ; the tarsi are very short, 3-jointed, the last joint being much Jonger than the rest; the strongly-ribbed thorax, elytra and abdomen will serve to distinguish our single genus. Nitidulidze. The characters of this family are very variable; the species are mostly small insects with the last one or two segments of the abdomen very often, but by no means always, exposed: sometimes a considerable portion of the abdomen is not covered by the elytra: the antennz are inserted ‘under the margin of the front, and are as a rule 11-jointed, and terminated by a 3-jointed club; the maxille (except in the Brachypterina) are composed of one lobe ; the abdomen is composed of five free ventral segments, except in a few genera, where the male has an extra dorsal segment; the tarsi are 5-jointed, except in the Rhizo- ‘phagina, in which they are heteromerous in the male; the fourth joint is always very small; in shape the species vary from short and round or ovate to long and cylindrical. Trogositide. This family is closely related to the Nitidulide, but may easily be distinguished by the fact that the tarsi have the first joint, and not the fourth, very small; the maxille have two lobes, and the elytra always cover the abdomen. Monotomide. ‘his family bears a considerable relation to the Nitidulide, but, apart from other characters, it may be distinguished by the shape of the anterior coxe, which in the last named family are transverse, and in the Monotomide are rounded; the antenne are inserted under the sides of the forehead, and terminate in a solid or obsoletely 2-jointed club; the head is large and the eyes are strongly 6 CLAVICORNIA. . granulated ; the thorax is not, or scarcely, transverse, and is more or less distinctly crenulate at the sides; the elytra are truncate and leave the pygidium exposed ; the tarsi are 3-jointed ; the species are elongate and more or less depressed, and are usually dull and strongly sculptured, being more or less scabrous. Lathridiide. A rather extensive family of minute insects, the con- stitution of which has not altogether been settled: form usually more or less oval, with the head and thorax narrower than the elytra, but some- times parallel or even filiform ; head varying in shape, but usually rather large in proportion, antenne 8-11 jointed, terminating in a more or less distinct club; maxilla with two lobes, maxillary palpi 4-jointed, with the last joint large: anterior cox conical and prominent, with the coxal cavities closed behind; thorax variable in shape; elytra covering abdomen; abdomen composed of five free ventral segments, of which the first is the longest; legs moderate, tarsi 3-jointed, with the first joint elongate terminating in two small simple claws. Cucujide. An extensive family, of which only a few outlying members are found in Britain, and which is very differently constituted by different authors: they are elongate or oblong, and more or less de- pressed, insects; the antennz are inserted at the margin of the front, and are 11-jointed, sometimes long and slender, sometimes with the apical joints enlarged, and forming an indistinct club; anterior cox@ small, with the cavities closed in some tribes and open in others ; thorax often denticulate at sides; elytra covering abdomen in all our tribes; tarsi 5-jointed in both sexes, or with the posterior tarsi occasionally 4-jointed in the males, first joint usually very small. Byturide. A very doubtful family which has been placed in-very different positions by various authors, and can only be considered as located provisionally ; the single genus, of which it consists, is distin- guished by its 5-jointed tarsi, of which the fourth joint is small, and the second and third joints are lobed beneath, and by having the anterior coxal cavities narrowly closed behind, as well as by its toothed claws; the antenne are inserted before the eyes and terminate in a loose 3-jointed club; the abdomen is composed of five free equal segments ; the genus appears to be most closely related to the Telmatophilina, but also bears strong affinities to the Mycetophagide and the Nitidulide, as will be seen by a comparison of their characters. Cryptophagide. An extensive family of minute insects which are easily distinguished from the Lathridiide by having the tarsi all 5-jointed in both sexes or heteromerous in the males;. in some respects they approach certain of the Cucujide, from which they may be known by the distinct club of the antenne and the longer first ventral segment; the form is variable, being either oblong, oval, or almost circular, and the pubescence and sculpture is also very different in the various genera; the antennz are 11-jointed, and are inserted at the sides eee ™ - toe, oh ve ‘ CLAVICORNIA. 7 of the front, or on the front, being distant or approximate at base; the anterior coxee are transverse and oval, and except in the Diphyllina the cavities are open behind. Scaphidiidee. This family is placed in its present position partly on account of the formation of the anterior coxal cavities, of which one half is formed by the prosternum and the other half by the meso- sternum :* in Ephistemus the formation is somewhat analogous, and the present family seems therefore to come somewhat naturally after that genus; in some respects the characters of the family are somewhat anomalous; form more or less boat-shaped, with the elytra broadly truncate and not covering abdomen ; antenne 10-11-jointed, with the last five or six joints enlarged and forming a slight club, inserted at the margin of the forehead, which is somewhat prolonged in front; thorax margined at sides and sinuate at base; elytra with a sutural and marginal stria; legs very long and slender, with the tarsi filiform, 5-jointed, abdomen composed of six free ventral segments, of which the first is the largest and the fifth longer than the three preceding ones ; the species range in size from about 25-6 mm. Mycetophagide. Oval or oblong insects, of small or moderate size, often handsomely variegated with yellowish or orange-red spots, and with the upper surface always more or less pubescent; they are characterized by having the tarsi all 4-jointed in the female, and the anterior pair 3- jointed in the male, the intermediate and posterior pair in the latter sex being 4-jointed as in the female; the mandibles are bifid at apex; the antennz are inserted before ‘the eyes and are 11-jointed, with the apical joints gradually thickened or forming a club; the anterior coxal cavities are always open behind; the thorax is transverse, truncate at apex, and the elytra usually cover the abdomen, which is composed of five free and almost equal segments. Dermestide. An important family of insects which vary consider- ably in size and general appearance; form oblong oval or oval, in some cases almost round, usually strongly pubescent, and sometimes squamose ; head variable in size, furnished, except in Dermestes, with a frontal ocellus; antenne inserted in front of the eyes, usually 11-jointed, but variable, clavate or thickened at apex ; thorax short, usually excavate beneath for the reception of the antennx; anterior coxal cavities open behind ; elytra covering abdomen, not striated; abdomen composed of five free convex segments; legs short, somewhat contractile, tibiae with distinct spurs, tarsi 5-jointed, with the fifth joint long, and the first four joints as a rule short, claws simple. Byrrhide: This family is in many respects allied to the preceding, but may as a rule be distinguished by the much more strongly retractile *-Dr. Sharp informs me that this formation is not so uncommon as Mr. Matthews supposed it to be; the position of this family may therefore have to be modified. 8 CLAVICORNIA, legs of which the tibia are compressed and generally sulcate for the recep- tion of the tarsi, and also by the connate anterior segments of the abdomen, as well as by the usually striated elytra; the antennz are, as a rule, 11-jointed, rarely 10-jointed, with .the apical joints, in our. genera, forming a club; the anterior coxal cavities are open behind; the elytra cover the abdomen, which is composed of five segments, of which the first two or three are usually connate; the tarsi are 5-jointed, with the last joint elongate, except in Aspidiphorus, in which they are heteromerous ; the species are short, oval, and very convex, and vary very much in size. Georysside. This and the succeeding family are more or less aquatic in their habits, and by some authors are placed near the Hydro- philide ; the family Georyssidz contains a single genus, Georyssus, which is very closely allied to Elmis, but may at once be distinguished by the distinct 3-jointed club of the antenne, and the short 4-jointed tarsi; all the coxe are distant, and the anterior pair are compressed and flattened at the tip, forming two plates which conceal the prosternum ; according to Thomson these plates are formed by the laminate tro- chanters; the elytra are entire, and are very roughly sculptured ; the abdomen is composed of five segments, of which the first is very large and the last three are free. > x Parnide. The following are the chief characteristics of this family, which has by many authors been divided into two separate families, the Parnide and Elmide: head usually retractile; antenne variable, either filiform and moderately leng, as in Elmis, or very short, with the second joint dilated and ear-shaped, as in Parnus ; eyes rounded, some- times hairy: anterior coxal cavities open behind, all the coxe distant; prosternum prolonged behind the coxe; legs slender, sometimes very long, tarsi 5-jointed, with joints 1-4 short, equal, fifth very long, claws strong, simple ; abdomen in our genera composed of five ventral segments ; upper surface strongly pubescent, and often pilose, in the Parnina,and the form larger and subcylindrical; in the Elmina the pubescence is very fine and scanty, and the form is more depressed and much smaller. Heteroceride. An aberrant family, of somewhat doubtful affinities, containing a single genus /Zeterocerus, which by its subaquatie habits, general form, strong pubescence, and very short antenney, appears to be allied to Parnus, but differs in several very important points; the following are its chief characters ; head large, with the eyes half-hidden, antenne short, inserted above the base of the mandibles near the inner margin of the eyes, with first two joints large and ciliate, and joints 5-11 forming an oblong serrate club; thorax transverse with the angles rounded, and the anterior coxal cavities open behind; elytra completely covering abdomen, which is composed of five ventral segments, of which the two last are free, and the first is furnished with a stridulating organ ; legs fossorial, tarsi 5-jointed, apparently 4-jointed, the first joint being minute and obsolete; size 23-55 mm. — Cee ees. cy « Leptinide.] CLAVICORNIA. 9 LEPTINIDZ. This family contains two genera Leptinus and Leptinillus, the latter of which, from North America, was at first included with the former ; they differ from the Silphide in their transverse mentum, very long filiform antenne, the very short metasternum, and the fact that the sternal epipleure of the elytra are almost obsolete, or very little pro- nounced ; the eyes are entirely wanting, or represented by translucent eye spots. LEPTINUS, Miiller. This genus at present contains one or two species from Europe, the Caucasus district, and North America; they are found living with various small rodents and birds, sometimes on their bodies and sometimes in their nests, but, as Dr. Horn observes, it has not been yet determined whether they are true parasites or merely guests ; our single species, L. testaceus, is also occasionally found in numbers in the nests of humble-bees. L. testaceus, Miill. Oval, much depressed, of a dull, testaceous colour, clothed with rather strong yellowish pubescence ; head projecting, almost semicircular, much narrower than thorax, antenne very long, filiform ; thorax transverse, crescent-shaped, rounded and narrowed in front, broadest behind, with the posterior angles prominent and acute, very closely punctured, fully as broad at base as elytra; scutéllum rather large, triangular; elytra about twice as long as thorax, and of about the same breadth, with sides subparallel, obtusely rounded at, apex, very obsoletely striated, and very finely and somewhat rugosely punctured ; legs testaceous, femora rather stout, tibize sparingly spinose ; posterior tarsi with the first joint almost three times as long as second. L. 2 mm. In dead leaves, rotten wood mould, birds’ nests, on small rodents, &c.; also in the nests of Bombi; very rarely in nests of Formica fuliginosa ; rare; Chatham (J. J. Walker, in numbers), Tilgate Forest, Caterham, Cobham Park, Chatham, Purley oaks ; Guestling near Hastings ; Needwood, Burton-on-Trent, in large numbers in a humble-bee’s nest (Rev. H. 8. Gorham); Ripon (Waterhouse), three specimens—one on mouse in a trap, one on leg of trousers, and one behind some old ivy ; Scotland, very rare, about the nests of Bombi, Clyde and Forth districts. SILPHIDZ. This family contains a large number of genera which are widely distributed over the surface of the world, but, as at present known, - are chiefly characteristic of colder and temperate, rather than of tropical regions; some of these are very large and conspicuous insects, while others are obscure and minute ; the members of the family differ very much in size, shape, and general appearance, and by many authors are divided up into three or four separate families; they are, as a whole, distinguished by their large quadrate mentum, large and prominent 10 CLAVICORNIA. [Silphide. anterior coxs, which are conical and contiguous, and finely granulated eyes which are sometimes wanting; the maxillz are bilobed ; the antennw are straight, inserted before the eyes, and thickened, or more often furnished with a club; the thorax is margined ; the prothorax has the epimera and episterna not distinct ; the mesosternum is short, and its epimera reach the coxe ; the metasternum is large ; the abdomen has, as a rule, six free segments ; in Spherites only it has five; the legs are variable, sometimes stout, sometimes slender; as a rule the tibie are dis- tinctly spined externally ; the tarsi also vary as regards the number of their joints. The family may be divided into the following tribes: there is, however, a very great difference in the views of authors regarding the division: Spherites, for instance, is regarded by some as merely a genus of the Silphina, by others as a tribe of the Silphidz, and by others as a separate family Spheeritide. I, Anterior coxal cavities closed behind. i. Posterior cox laminate; size very minute; tarsi all 4-jointed in-both sexes 4) bi bt be Det eat pew walle eo eS ii. Posterior cox simple; tarsi variable, but never all 4-jointed in both sexes. 1, Upper surface, as a rule, glabrous or almost glabrous, shining ; episterna of mesothorax small and linear, of métathorax hidden... 2S See ee os. GMS of Se OPO NRNA, 2. Upper surface pubescent, dull; episterna of mesothorax rather large, subquadrate, of metathorax free . . . . . . + » CHOLEVINA. II. Anterior coxal cavities open behind. i. Abdomen with five free ventral segments. . . . . . . . SPH#RITINA, ii. Abdomen with six free ventralsegments . . . . . . . « SILPHINA, CLAMBINA. This tribe has by many authors been placed in close proximity to the Trichopterygide, and it does in fact bear a close relationship to that family, from the fact that the edge of the wings is fringed with long hairs; in other points, however, especially in the fact that in most species the body is retractile and capable of being rolled up into a ball, the tribe is closely related to Agathidium,; the head is large and transverse, and the antenne 11-jointed, 10-jointed, or 9-jointed, with 2-jointed club; the anterior coxe are conical and contiguous with the cavities closed behind, and the middle coxe in our two British genera are slightly separated ; all the tarsi are 4-jointed ; the species are all very minute, of convex and short oval form, and are found in decomposing vegetable matter. ; There are two British genera which may be separated as follows :— I. Antenna 10-jointed, with club 2-jointed, inserted at a distance from eyes; abdomen with six segments . . . CALYPTOMERUS, Redt. II. Antenna 9-jointed, with club 2-jointed, inserted near eyes; abdomen with five segments. . . . . . . . CutamBus, Fisch, ai Calyptomerus. | CLAVICORNIA. 11 CALYPTOMERWS, Redtenbacher. (Comazus, Fairm.) This genus comprises four or five species from Europe and North America ; they are found in vegetable refuse, flood rubbish, &c.; the larva of O. dubius (enshamensis) is described and figured by Perris (Ann. Fr. 1852, p. 574, t. 14, fig. 1-10) ; it is 2 mm. in length, of a livid colour, _setose at sides, broader in front and gradually narrowed behind, covered with very small roughnesses or tubercles which are visible under a high power; the thoracic segments are proportionally large; the anal appendage is like a fleshy nipple, helping progression, and serving as a point d’apput, when the insect wishes to move from place to place ; the pupa is chiefly remarkable for the small space occupied by the abdominal segments. C. dubius, Marsh. (enshamensis, Steph. ; cephalotes, Dej.). Short oval, convex, of a lighter or darker testaceous colour, shining, thickly clothed with very fine silky yellowish pubescence, very finely punctured ; head very large, larger than thorax, antenne short, testaceous, with the club slightly darker; thorax very short, with the anterior and posterior angles almost confluent, sides very short; scutellum minute, triangular ; elytra five times as long as thorax, scarcely dilated at sides, very convex in front and sloped towards apex, with a sutural stria which is abbreviated in front, sutural angle somewhat acuminate; under-side testaceous, pubescent; legs pale. L. 2 mm. . In haystack and flood refuse, &c. ; local but not uncommon in some places ; Croydon, Ripley, Lee, Mickleham, Birdbrook (Essex); Hastings ; Glanvilles Wootton ; Wivenhoe (tidal refuse) ; Ely; Wicken Fen (in sedge); Knowle near Birmingham (on damp walls); Repton ; Northumberland district, rare, sea-coast near Hartley ; Scotland, not common, amongst straw in outhouses, Solway, Tweed and Forth districts; Ireland, Rathkurby, Waterford, near Dublin, &c. CLAMBUS, Fischer. About a dozen species are comprised in this genus, five of which are found in Europe, and the remainder have been recorded from North America, the Canary Islands and Ceylon ; it appears therefore to be rather widely spread, and is probably much more extensive than at present known ; the species are very minute convex insects, and have the power of rolling themselves up into a ball; they differ from Calyptomerus in having the antenne 9-jointed, and in the smaller head and longer thorax ; the metasternum is excavate in front for the reception of the head, and the posterior coxe are semicircular; the species are found in hot-beds, and among moss, dead leaves, and vegetable refuse generally. I. Elytra more or less distinctly pubescent. i. Pubescence close, fine, and short ; sizesmaller . . . C. PUBESCENS, Redé. ii. Pubescence long and diffuse; size larger . . . . . C. ARMADILLO, De. G. IJ. Elytra entirely without pubescence. . . . . . . . CO. MiInuTUS, Sturm. 12 CLAVICORNIA. [ Clambus. C. pubescens, Redt. Short oval, not quite as convex as the following species, thickly clothed with very short and fine pale silky pubescence, of a lighter or darker pitchy colour, with the sides of the thorax lighter, apparently impunctate; antennz yellow; thorax as broad as elytra, and broader than head (which is large), very transverse, posterior angles rounded ; elytra three times as long as thorax, narrowed towards apex; under-side thickly and very finely pubescent ; legs pale yellow, last segment of abdomen with a raised fold. L. 3-3 mm. In vegetable refuse, hot-beds &c.; not uncommon and probably very widely distributed in many parts of England; Chatham, Darenth Wood, &c.; Hastings and other localities in the South; Knowle, Smallheath, Edgbaston, Repton, &e. ; Manchester district ; Northumberland district, rare; Scotland, not common, Solway district. This and other species of Clambus are probably very often overlooked, as they have the power of rolling themselves up into a ball, and so lying quiet until danger is passed; in walking they hold their large heads stretched out horizontally, which gives them a peculiar appearance. C. armadillo, De. G. Very closely allied to the preceding, but of darker, usually black, colour, and clothed with much more sparing and longer pubescence ; the margins of thorax are brownish-red, and the legs and antenns are reddish; in this and in the other species the disc of elytra is sometimes lighter; the last segment of the abdomen is more thickly pubescent, but has no ‘fold. L. 2—-$mm. In moss, dead leaves, vegetable refuse, hot-beds, &c.; commoner than the preceding in some localities, and less common in others ; London district, generally distributed ; Hastings; Devon; Soham, Cambridge; Midland districts, Bewdley, Sutton Park, Salford Priors, Repton, &c. ; Manchester district ; Northumberland district, common ; Scotland, not common, Solway, Tweed, and Forth districts ; Ireland, near Dublin and Belfast. Cc. minutus, Sturm. On an average distinctly larger than the two preceding, and distinguished by its very smooth, shining, and glabrous surface; the sides of the thorax are rather distinctly yellowish or yellowish-red, and the disc of the elytra is often lighter; the last segment of the abdomen is furnished with a little brush of hairs, and in the male has also a small fovea. L. 3-1 mm. : In vegetable refuse, flood rubbish, &c., rare, but perhaps overlooked or confounded with the preceding ; Dulwich ; Cobham Park; Horning Fen; Southampton ; Exeter ; Tewkesbury ; Bewdley; Yardley; Manchester district; Northumberland district; Scotland, not common, Solway district. A fourth species, C. punctulum, has been included in the British list, but has been dropped, as the specimens on which it was introduced appear to be only small C. minutus ; C. punctulum is smaller and rounder than C. minutus, and has the last joint of the antenne only as long as broad, and the last segment of the abdomen bare; in C. minutus the antenne have the last joint much longer than broad, and the last Clambus] CLAVICORNIA, 13 segment of the abdomen is furnished with a brush of hairs, as above mentioned. The genus Cybocephalus is now rightly regarded as belonging to the Clambina rather than to the Nitidulide. ANISOTOMINA. This tribe contains a considerable number of small genera, which are distinguished by having the upper surface glabrous or almost glabrous and the anterior coxal cavities closed behind; the body is oval and convex, and in some genera capable of being contracted into a ball; the antenne and tarsi are very variable, and afford good characters for the separation of the genera; of these about ten are represented in Europe, nine of which occur in Britain ; some of the species are very rare, and many are exceedingly difficult to determine; they are found in moist fungi, under bark, by sweeping herbage at sundown, &c. I. Head with distinct antennal groove on its under-side ; thorax with the posterior angles rounded ; elytra not striated with the exception of a sutural stria which is sometimes absent; tibiee finely, spinose; tarsi dissimilar in the sexes, i. Club of antennas 3-jointed. . . . . . . . . AGATHIDIUM, Jil. ii. Club of antennze 4-jointed . . . AMPHICYLLIs, Er. iii. Club of antenne 5-jointed, 2nd joint small... Liopks, Er, II. Head without or with indistinct* antennal grooves on under-side; thorax with the posterior angles right angles or obtuse, but not rounded; elytra more or less plainly striated; tibie distinctly spinose; tarsi similar in the sexes. i. Base of thorax margined; posterior tarsi with less than five joints, 1. Anterior and intermediate tarsi 5-jointed, posterior 4-jointed. A. Club of antenne apparently 4-jointed, the second joint being scarcely visible or quite concealed ; mesosternum not carinate . Cryrtusa, Er. B. Club of antenna plainly 4-jointed, the second joint being small but distinctly visible; meso- sternum carinate . . . Antsotoma, Jil. 2. Anterior tarsi 5-jointed, intermediate and pos- . terior tarsi 4-jointed; club of antennz 3-jointed. CoLzEnis, Er. 8. Anterior tarsi 4 jointed, intermediate and pos- terior tarsi 3-jointed; club of antenne 65- jointed, second joint small . . . AgaricopHacts, Schmidt. ii, Base of thorax not margined ; all the tarsi 5- jointed. 1. Club of antennz 5 jointed, second joint small . Hypnoxivs, Schmidt 2. Club of antenne 3-jointed. . . . . . . . TRiIARTHRON, Schmédt, * Horn mentions Cyrtusa as possessing antennal grooves ; Thomson and Reitter, on the contrary, class it with the species having no antennal grooves. 14 CLAVICORNIA, [Agathidium AGATHIDIUM, Illiger. This genus contains about fifty species which are chiefly found in Europe, Northern Asia, and North America; in all probability many more will be discovered ; one or two have occurred in the Canary Islands ; they are small shining, more or less globose, insects, many of which have the power of rolling themselves up into a ball like Clambus ; they are usually black or brownish, but occasionally the thorax is bright red; the antennez are terminated by a 3-jointed club; the mandibles are stout, and the left one sometimes strongly projects or is furnished with a process varying from a small tooth to a long curved horn ; the thorax has the posterior angles rounded and the margins always more or less distinctly lighter ; the mesosternum is more or less plainly carinate; the tarsi are variable in the female, which sex in some species has the anterior tarsi with five joints and the rest with four, and in other species has four joints to all the tarsi ; the elytra are not striated on disc, and even the sutural stria is often wanting or very much abbreviated. Thomson divides the genus into two on the formation of the meso- and meta- sternum, but his division is not satisfactory, as it does not separate the species that have variable tarsi in the females, a character that has much more weight than the comparatively slight differences on which he founds his two genera. The species of Agathidium are found under bark, in fungi, moss, dead leaves, &e. i The larve of Agathidium appear in many points to strongly resemble those of Leiodes and Choleva; that of A. seminulum. according to Perris, has the segments clothed with a coriaceous skin in the place of corneous scuta; the mandibles are bi- dentate, and the eight first abdominal segments are furnished with a small tubercle on each side; the last segment is terminated by two cerci and a long clavate anal appendage ; the whole surface is set with whitish silky hairs; the larva of A. mandi- bulare is described by Schiddte as oblong-ovate, convex, of a pale fuscous colour, with the corneous parts fuscous ; antenne and legs short and stout; cerci stout, sparingly setulose, scarcely as Jong as the ninth abdominal segment; these larvee are found in the same habitat as the perfect insects. I, Elytra with flatly and widely rounded shoulders ; female with the anterior tarsi 5-jointed and the intermediate and posterior tarsi 4-jointed; insect with complete ability to roll up into a ball.* i, Elytra with a sutural stria reaching middle, finely but distinctly punctured. 1. Head and thorax bright red, elytra deep black, considerably longer than together broad . . A. NIGRIPENNE, Ku. 2. Upper surface black or deep brown, elytra scarcely longer than together broad. A. Third joint of the antenna very long, as long as the next three together ; thorax broadest ‘ behind middle; size larger and broader. . A. aTRUM, Payk. * The German term for this “‘ Kugelvermigen Vollstindig,” is very expressive, and might with advantage be literally translatedand adopted by English authors. Agathidium.] OLAVICORNIA. 15 B. Third joint of the antenne much shorter, scarcely as long as the next two together ; thorax broadest before middle; size smaller and narrower. . . ? A. SEMINULUM, LD. ii. Elytra without sutural stria, ‘impunctate - « . A. LeviaatuM, Er. Il. Elytra with obtuse humeral angles; species with incomplete ability to roll up into a ball; tarsi of female variable. i, Head with the temples not swollen behind eyes, eyes, when the head is retracted, reaching the angles of thorax. 1. Elytra without sutural stria, very closely and rather distinctly punctured. 2, Elytra with a distinct sutural stria reaching from apex to about middle. A. Front margin of clypeus broadly and rather deeply emarginate . . . . « - »« « « A. conrusuM, Bris. (clypeatum, Sharp.) A, MARGINATUM, Sturm. B. Front margin of clypeus truncate or feebly bisinuate. a. Colour variable, usually brownish yellow, with the sides of thorax and the elytra darker ; all the tarsi of female 4-jointed ; elytra impunctate FS eS - A, VaRIANS, Beck. b. Colour black; anterior tarsi of female 5- jointed ; elytra finely punctured. a*, Antennz unicolorous red; clypeus not separated from forehead by aline . . A. GLOBosuM, Muls, (convexwm, Sharp.) b*. Club of antenne, except sometimes apex, black ; clypeus separated trom forehead by a more or less distinct line . . . A. ROTUNDATUM, Gyll, ii. Head with the temples plainly swollen and pro- jecting behind eyes ; eyes not reaching the angles of thorax. 1. Upper surface less distinctly punctured; left mandible of male simple . . . . A. NIGRINUM, Sturm. 2. Upper surface more distinctly punctured ; left mandible of male very much developed, often with a tooth or long horn on its upper surface A. RHINOCEROS, Sharp. A. nigripenne, Kug. Head and thorax bright red, elytra deep black, more elongate and less convex than in any of our other British species ; under-side blackish or blackish-brown; antenne reddish with darker club ; head and thorax very finely punctured, the latter transverse with all the angles rounded, a little narrowed in front; elytra finely but dis- tinctly punctured with faint traces of rows of punctures, and with a deep sutural stria reaching from apex to beyond middle; legs red, L. 2- 22 mm. “Male with the anterior tarsi slightly dilated, posterior femora termi- nating in a blunt tooth. Under bark of dead ash and other deciduous trees, at sap, &c.; local ; not recorded from the London district ; New Forest; Glanvilles Wootton (dead brambles in May) ; Dean Forest ; Sutton Park ; Needwood ; Markfield, near Leicester ; Sherwood Forest ; 16 CLAVICORNIA. [ Agathidium, Repton; Darlington; Ripon; Manchester district ; Northumberland district, not uncommon in many localities, Wallington, Gosforth, Jesmond, Ravensworth, Whittle Dene, &c.; Scotland, rare, at oozing sap of trees, Forth and Clyde districts; I have also received it from Ireland from Mr, J. J. Walker, who has found it at Westport (Co. Mayo) and Rathmullan (Co. Donegal). A. atrum, Payk. Shining black, with the margins of thorax and usually the extreme margin of elytra pitchy; under-side blackish or pitchy with apex lighter ; antenne reddish-brown with the two first joints of the club darker and the last joint lighter; head thickly and distinctly punctured ; thorax ample, very finely punctured, much more so than head and elytra, broadest behind middle, with all the angles rounded ; elytra finely but plainly punctured, with a distinct sutural stria reaching from apex to beyond middle ; legs reddish-brown, posterior femora often blackish. L. 22mm. Male with the posterior femora produced into a tooth at apex, and the metasternum in middle furnished with a little bunch of hairs. In dead leaves, moss, fungi, &c.; rather local, but, as a rule, not uncommon; London district, generally distributed; The Holt, Farnham; Hastings ; Swansea ; Yardley ; Sutton Park ; Cannock Chase; Needwood; Sherwood Forest; Langworth Wood, Lincoln ; Manchester district; Northumberland district rare, but rather widely distributed ; Scotland, Lowlands and Highlands, not rare, Solway, Tweed, Forth, and Tay districts. A. seminulum, L. Lighter or darker pitchy brown, sometimes red- dish brown, with the margins of thorax and elytra lighter, and the under- side always reddish-brown, a character, which together with its smaller and narrower form, will easily separate dark examples from the preceding species; antenne reddish-brown with yellowish club; head very finely punctured ; thorax scarcely visibly punctured, with sides strongly rounded, broadest before middle, and if viewed when quite level apparently dilated in front ; elytra finely but distinctly punctured, with a sutural stria reaching from apex to about middle; legs reddish. L. 2mm. Male with the posterior femora produced at apex into a rounded angle. In dead leaves, moss, rotten wood, &c. ; local; London district, not uncommon; St. Leonard’s Forest, Sussex; New Forest; Southampton; Parkhurst Forest, Isle of Wight, in nests of F. rufa (J. J. Walker); Dean Forest, common; Coleshill ; Knowle; Cannock Chase; Sherwood Forest; Chat Moss; Repton; Ripon; not ae from any locality in England further north than Yorkshire, or from Scotland. A. levigatum, Er. This species is easily distinguished by its smooth and impunctate surface and the absence of a sutural stria on the elytra ; it is black or pitchy, with the margins of the elytra distinctly reddish-brown ; antenne brownish-red, with the first two joints of the club brown, and the last lighter ; thorax very broad, broader than elytra, widest about middle ; elytra smooth ; under-side black, abdomen sometimes Agathidium.) OLAVICORNIA. 17 pitchy ; legs reddish or brownish-red, posterior femora sometimes blackish, without distinction in the sexes. L. 2mm. In moss, dead leaves, rotten wood, &c ; London district generally distributed and common; Dover; Hastings; Glanvilles Wootton; New Forest; Isle of Wight; Knowle; Dudley ; Buddon Wood, Leicestershire; Chat Moss ; Bold records it as very rare in the Northumberland district, and says he has only one local specimen ; Scotland, Lowlands and Highlands, among moss, common, Solway, Forth, Tay, Dee, and Moray districts ; it appears probable from the Scotch record that the species has been overlooked in the northern counties of England. A. marginatum, Sturm. A small species, globose, pitchy-black or black with the extreme margins of thorax, and the apex of elytra more or less broadly, pitchy-brown ; head extremely finely punctured, antennee reddish with the club, except apical joint, blackish ; thorax short, scarcely as broad as elytra, narrowed in front, broadest behind, very finely and scarcely visibly punctured; elytra thickly and distinctly punctured without sutural stria; legs brownish-red, posterior femora blackish L. 1{-1} mm. Male with the anterior tarsi slightly dilated, the apex of elytra less deflexed, and the left mandible rather strongly developed ; female with all the tarsi 4-jointed. In haystack and flood refuse, &c. ; not common ; Caterham, Forest Hill, Weybridge, Horsell, Sheerness, Chatham ; Deal; Hastings ; Littlington ; Norfolk fens (specimens variable in size); Wallasey, near Liverpool; Northumberland-district, widely dispersed but not common; Scotland, very rare, Forth district; also taken by Mr. Bold at Tain, Ross-shire. Ireland, Portmarnock. A confusum, Bris. (clypeatum, Sharp, polonicum, Wank., piceum, Thoms. nec. Er., mandibulare, W.C., nec. Sturm.). Very like the pre- ceding in size, shape, and colour, but easily distinguished by having the clypeus. distinctly, although shallowly, emarginate, and by the presence of a sutural stria on elytra reaching from apex to about middle; the elytra are distinctly, although finely punctured ; in the female the tarsi are all 4-jointed, and in the male the left mandible is considerably developed. L.13-1}'mm. In fungi; very rare; New Forest, Lyndhurst (Sharp) ; Headley Lane (E. W. Janson) ; Northumberland district, North Seaton (Bold); Dr. Power is said to have taken a specimen, but I have not noticed it in his collection. __ In the catalogue of Heyden, Reitter, and Weise (1883) this species is given as synonymous with picewm, Er.; I have, however, followed the synonymy given by Reitter himself in the Bestimmungs-Tabellen der Eur. Col. Necrophaga, published in 1885, A. varians, Beck. Colour very variable, sometimes entirely tes- taceous, with the disc of thorax and base of elytra darker, sometimes dark, with the head and margins of thorax, and apex and margins only of elytra light; head large, sparingly and very finely punctured ; antenne reddish-yellow, with the two first joints of the club blackish ; VOL. III. o 18 OLAVICORNIA. [Agathidium. thorax about as broad as elytra, broadest behind middle, narrowed in front, exceedingly finely punctured ; elytra impunctate with a distinct sutural stria reaching to about the middle; legs reddish-brown. L. 1}-2 mm. é Male with the left mandible sometimes considerably developed, female with all the tarsi 4-jointed. | In vegetable refuse, rotten wood, at the damp bottoms of old woodstacks, &c. ; not uncommon, but somewhat local. Darenth Wood, Shirley, Croydon, Caterham, &c.'; Glanvilles Wootton; Knowle; Needwood ; Repton; Ripon; Lincoln; Liverpool and Manchester district ; Northumberland district, not rare, in fungi growing on decaying trees ; Scotland, rare, Solway and Forth districts. The colour and impunctate elytra will easily distinguish this species from its allies. 4. globosum, Muls. (convexwm, Sharp). This species is allied to A. marginatum, but at once distinguished by the presence of a sutural stria on the elytra which reaches from apex to about middle, and by the female tarsi; the antenne also are unicolorous red, whereas in A. marginatum the first two joints of the club are almost always dark ; it is also allied to A. rotundatum, but is larger than that species and less pointed at apex, and may further be easily distinguished by the colour of the antenne which in A. rotundatum always have the club dark. L. 12-14 mm. In the male the left mandible is sometimes very much developed ; in the female the tarsi are 5- 4- 4-jointed. In dead leaves, moss, &c.; rare; Shirley, Esher, Bexley, Chatham, Darenth, Hainault, Birch Wood, Loughton, Mickleham, Highgate (Champion, Power, &.) ; Hopwas Wood, Tamworth (Blatch); Drinkwater Park, Manchester; Repton ; Scot- land, rare, Lowlands, Highlands, Solway, Tay, and Dee districts (Sharp). A. rotundatum, Gyll. One of the smallest, if not the smallest, of our species ; deep black, shining. with the extreme margins of thorax, and apex of elytra obscurely pitchy ; form globose but rather longer and not quite as broad as in other species ; head finely punctured, antenne reddish with club dark (often lighter at apex) ; thorax fully as broad as elytra, very finely punctured, the punctuation being scarcely visible except at sides; elytra with a sutural stria reaching to about middle with punctuation, as in thorax, visible at sides ; legs reddish or reddish- brown. L. 14-1} mm. Male with the left mandible often produced or furnished with a horn ; female with tarsi 5- 4- 4-jointed. In fungoid growth on dead trees, under bark, &c.; rare in England ; Esher, Cater- ham, Darenth Wood, Cobham Park, Chatham ; Cannock Chase; Sherwood Forest ; Wallasey ; Bowden Park, Manthester; Northumberland district; Scotland, under bark, not rare, Solway, Tay, Dee, Sutherland, and probably other districts. This species is-closely allied to A. mary ‘natum, but is easily dis- i) come Agathidium.] CLAVICORNIA. 19 tinguished by the presence of a sutural stria, and the very indistinct punctuation of disc of elytra. A. nigrinum, Sturm (staphyleum, Gyll.) This and the suc- ceeding species are placed in a separate group by Reitter together with A. arcticum, Thoms., and A. discoideum, Er. ; the species belonging to this group are easily distinguished by having the temples swollen and projecting behind the eyes; A. nigrinum is the largest British species of the genus; in general appearance it much resembles A. atrum, but is rounder and more globose ; in colour it varies, being usually black or pitchy black with the edges of thorax and apex of elytra pitchy-brown, but varieties occur which are almost entirely of a light pitchy-brown colour ; head very finely punctured, antenne reddish, with club, except apex, dark ; thorax short and convex, hardly visibly punctured, broadest behind middle; elytra plainly and rather thickly punctured, with a sutural stria reaching from apex to middle; breast black, abdomen reddish- brown ; legs reddish-brown, or pitchy, with tarsi lighter. L. 3 mm. Male with the anterior tarsi slightly dilated, female with the tarsi 5- 4- 4-jointed. In dead leaves, faggot stacks, fungoid growth, &c.; not common; Chatham, Darenth Wood, Caterham, Sanderstead, Coombe Wood, Shirley, Esher, Weybridge, Highgate, Loughton, &c.; Hastings; New Forest; Sherwood Forest ; Needwood ; Ripon ; Manchester district; Northumberland district, rare, Bothal, Gibside, Gos- forth, banks of Irthing. Scotland, Lowlands, Highlands, under bark, rare, Solway, Forth, Tay, and Moray districts. The pale variety is the A. staphyleum of Gyllenhal (Ins. Suee. ii. 569. 13), which he expressly says has a 3-jointed club ; it cannot therefore be referred to the var. ferrugineum of Amphicyllis globus, with which many authors identify it. A. rhinoceros, Sharp. Allied to the preceding species, but evidently more acuminate behind, and more distinctly punctured, with a - more deeply impressed sutural stria, and with the antenne rather stouter, the apical joints being more transverse ; the colour is usually deep pitchy red, sometimes almost black, and the legs are of a dark reddish-brown colour ; the chief peculiarity, however, lies in the extreme development of the left mandible of the male, which in some cases is only increased in length and curved, in others bears a short tooth on its upper surface, and in others has this tooth prolonged into a very long, elevated, recurved horn reaching far above the head; female with tarsi 5- 4- 4-jointed. L. 23-22 mm. Under bark of dead firs, &c.; Rannoch, Perthshire (first taken by Messrs. Sharp and Bishop in the autumn of 1864). I have also reeeived it from the same locality from the Rey. A. E. Hodgson. AMPHICYLLIS, Erichson. This genus contains two European species, one of which is found in “@ 2 20 CLAVICORNIA. [Amphicyllis. Britain ; it resembles Lecodes in form, but is easily distinguished by the 4-jointed club of the antenne (the club of Leiodes being 5-jointed with the second joint very small) and the non-spinose posterior tibiz ; it is also related to Agathidium, but the latter genus is less globose and has the club of the antennz 3-jointed, and the mesosternum keeled instead of tuberculate. ; A. globus, F. Very convex, almost hemispherical, head and elytra shining black, thorax bright red; antennz red, with the two middle joints of the club blackish ; head thickly and finely punctured, mouth parts red; thorax at hinder margin more than double as broad as long, plainly narrowed in front, anterior angles rounded, posterior angles obtuse, thickly and finely punctured ; elytra rather distinctly punctured, with a deep sutural stria reaching from apex to about middle ; meso- sternum tuberculate at apex; legs reddish-brown, posterior femora often blackish. L. 23mm. Male with the three first joints of the anterior tarsi and the two first joints of the intermediate tarsi widened and pubescent beneath ; female with all the tarsi 4-jointed. In dead leaves, faggot stacks, rotten wood and fungoid growth; not common, but oceasionally occurs in numbers; Woking, Caterham, Coombe Wood, Darenth Wood, Chatham, Purley Down, Wimbledon, Dulwich, Highgate, Sheppy; Essex ; Hastings ; New Forest; Church Stretton; Sherwood Forest; Northumberland district, very rare, Gosforth and Long Benton ; not recorded from Scotland, V. ferrugineum, Sturm. This variety is entirely rufo-ferruginous ; it is less common than the type form ; I have taken it near Lincoln and it has occurred at Ripon and in other localities. LIODES, Latreille (Anisotoma, Reitter et auct). This genus contains about a dozen species from Europe and North America, four of which are found in Britain ; like Anisotoma they have a 5-jointed club with the sixth joint very small, but they may be dis- tinguished from that genus by their more hemispherical shape, and by having the mesosternum tuberculate at apex and not carinate; they are also, as a rule, larger and dark-coloured, occasionally being furnished with yellow spots on the elytra. The larva of L. glabra (Anisotoma glabra) is described and figured by Schiodte, i. 87, Pl. x. fig. 7. It is very like that of Chuleva fusca, but is more parallel-sided and more gradually narrowed behind; the head projects, but is small, and very much narrower than the prothorax ; the three thoracic segments are very transverse, of about equal size, with the angles rounded, and with strong muscular impressions; the ubduminal segments are much contracted in front and behind, and gradually decrease in breadth: the ninth segment is about as long as broad and cylindrical, and bears a very short anal appendage and two long cerci; legs and antenne short; this larva is pale with the corneons parts fuscous ; it is found in fungi. T have retained the name of Liodes for this genus, although Reitter and several authors have changed it to Anisotoma, as the interchange of the names of genera gives rise to so much confusion ; Liodes.] CLAVICORNIA. 21 if a change must be made, it will be far better to adopt entirely new names rather than call Necrophorus Silpha, and Silpha Necrophorus, Liodes Anisotoma, and Anisotoma Diodes, and so on, as is now done in many cases. I. Elytra finely pubescent with a yellow spot at each shoulder; female with tarsi 5- 4- 4-jointed . . . L. HUMERALIS, Kug, II. Elytra glabrous without spots at shoulder. . i, Size larger; elytra with very distinct rows of larger punctures; female with tarsi 5- 4- 4- FOMIOD 6 5 58a tieiglers OS. FA Role ins ot ii. Size smaller; elytra with rows of larger punctures indistinct or irregular; female with all the tarsi 4-jointed. 1, Elytra coarsely and almost evenly punctured ; sutural stria of elytra almost reaching base . L. CasTaANEA, Herbst, _ 2, Elytra finely punctured with feeble rows of larger punctures; sutural stria of elytra reach- ing a little beyondmiddle . . . . . . . UL. onprounanis, Herbst. L. GLABRA, Kug. LB. humeralis, Kug. Black, almost hemispherical, with a broad patch at the shoulder of each elytra reddish or reddish-yellow ; the mouth-parts and a more or less obscure spot on forehead are also reddish, and the margins of thorax are reddish-brown ; head finely punctured, antenne reddish, with the club blackish or dark brown, except the apical half of the last joint which is reddish-yellow ; thorax transverse, nar- rowed in front, broadest behind, finely punctured, posterior angles rather marked ; elytra thickly and finely punctured, with double rows of larger punctures, the whole surface clothed with very fine brownish-yellow pubescence ; under-side and legs reddish-brown. L. 2$-3} mm. Male with the three first joints of the anterior tarsi strongly dilated, and the posterior femora dilated into an obtuse tooth at apex. In powdery fungus on old logs, stumps, &c.; locally common ; London district in many localities; Wrabness, Essex; Hastings; Glanvilles Wootton; New Forest; Devon; Sutton Park, Birmingham; Cannock Chase; Needwood; Robins’ Wood, Repton; Liverpool and Manchester districts ; commoner further north ; Northumber- land and Durham district, common; Scotland, Lowlands and Highlands, in fungi under bark, common throughout almost the whole country, L. glabra, Kug. Larger and broader than the preceding species, black, shining; head finely punctured, antenne brownish-red, with the club, except at extreme apex, blackish ; thorax very transverse, finely punctured, posterior angles obtuse, but well marked, with the extreme margins pitchy-red ; elytra finely punctured with distinct rows of larger _ punctures, and a deep sutural stria reaching from apex to about middle ; under-side and legs reddish-brown. L. 3j—-3$ mm. Male with the three first joints of the anterior tarsi feebly dilated. Under bark of fir; local and only found in the extreme north of England and in Scotland ; Northumberland district, rare; Scotland, Highlands, Tay, Dee, and Moray districts.. L. castanea, Herbst. Ovate, rather convex, pitchy-black, usually with a castaneous or reddish-brown tinge; head finely punctured, 29 ,OLAVICORNIA. [ Liodes. antenne brownish with the club, except apex, darker; thorax extremely finely and scarcely visibly punctured with margins lighter than dise ; posterior angles distinct; elytra somewhat acuminate behind, with irregular rows of rather coarse punctures, and the interstices between these rather coarsely punctured, so that the whole surface almost appears to be evenly punctured ; the spaces between the punctures are very finely punctured or cross- striated ; the sutural stria almost reaches base of elytra ; under-side and legs brown-red. “L: 3mm. Male with the three first joints of the anterior tarsi otis strongly dilated. Scotland, Highlands, under bark of fir ; local ; Tay, Dee, and Moray districts, Dr. Sharp has found it in some numbers at Rannoch. L. orbicularis, Herbst. A small, short oval, somewhat aidhions species, pitch-black or darker or lighter pitch- brown, antenne reddish with the club, except apical joint, blackish ; head finely punctured, with the mouth-parts and often a spot on forehead reddish ; thorax very finely and hardly visibly punctured, with the margins rather broadly lighter, posterior angles distinct, elytra with fine and somewhat indistinct rows of large punctures, interstices very finely punctured, sutural stria deep and reaching to about middle ; under-side and legs rather bright reddish or brownish-red. L. 2-24mm. Male with the anterior tarsi feebly dilated, posterior trochanters pro- jecting in a small point, posterior femora furnished with a small tooth in middle. : In dry and powdery fungoid growth on old trees; rare; Darenth Wood, Ashstead, Claygate, Strood, Caterham, Cobham Park ; Hastings ; "Lewes ; New Forest ; Can- nock Chase ; Delamere Forest, Cheshire ; Nocton, near Lincoln ; Ripon ; Northumber- land district, Gosforth, rare; not recorded from Scotland. CYRTUSA, Erichson. This genus contains about half a dozen species from Europe and North America ; they are very sniall insects of a lighter or darker testaceous or reddish-brown colour, and much resemble the smallest species of Aniso- toma, from which they differ in having the antenne apparently 10-jointed. and the club 4-jointed, the second joint of the club being very minute and scarcely visible even under a high power; it differs further from this latter genus in not having the mesosternum carinate ; from Oolends it may be known by the formation of the club of the antenne and the fact that the tarsi are 5- 5- 4-jointed. I, Form larger, less elongate, and more convex ; posterior tibie gradually widened to apex ; posterior “tere of thorax rectangular. . . . ©. minuta, Ahr, I, Form smaller, more elongate, and less convex ; pos- terior tibiz abruptly widened at apex ; i angles ef thorax blunt (but not rounded) . . . ©. pauxruna, Schmidt. Jam =" Cyrtusa. | ©LAVICORNIA. 23 Cc. minuta, Ahr. Short oval, convex, subglobose, testaceous or red- dish brown, shining; antenne reddish with club brown; head thickly and rather plainly punctured ; thorax transverse, finely punctured, with the sides somewhat strongly rounded, posterior angles rather sharp right angles; elytra with regular rows of punctures reaching nearly to base, interstices rather thickly and plainly punctured, with a sutural stria reaching from apex to. about middle; legs testaceous, tibie, especially the middle pair; strongly spined. L. 1j-12 mm. Male with the posterior femora gradually widened to apex, and fur, nished at apex with a recurved tooth. By evening sweeping, &c.; rare; Scarborough ; Scotland, Lowlands, very rare, Solway district, banks of Firth in flood refuse ; the specimens formerly referred to C. minuta must be most of them referred to U. pauxilla, which is, apparently, confined to the London district and the south. C. pauxilla, Schmidt. This species is allied to the preceding, but differs in being, on an average, decidedly smaller, and of more elongate and depressed form; the posterior angles of the thorax are blunt, although not rounded off, and in the male the posterior femora are abruptly dilated at apex and terminate in a right angle on the lower side instead of in a recurved tooth; the second joint of the club of the antenne is also rather more visible, and the punctuation of the interstices of the elytra is more diffuse ; these latter characters, however, are not very obvious. L. vix 1 mm. . By evening sweeping; not uncommon in the London district, Mickleham, Shirley, Forest Hill, Caterham, Claygate, Cobham, Birchwood, Maidstone, Gravesend, Chatham ; Hastings ; New Forest; Plymouth. ANISOTOMA, Illiger. (Liodes, Latr.). This genus contains a considerable number of species, the majority of which are found in Europe; several, however, have been .described from Northern Asia and North America, and it is probable that the number at present known will be largely increased in course of time ; about fifty species are now recognized as European, of which nearly half are found in Britain; many of these are extremely closely allied, and are very difficult to determine with accuracy. The late Mr, Rye took a great interest in the group, and added several new species; it is, however, doubtful whether all his species can be regarded as distinct ; in the present book the arrangement of Reitter has been in the main followed, as his work (Bestimmungs-Tabellen der Eur. Col. Necrophaga, 1885), is the latest that has appeared on the subject. The habits of the genus are at present very imperfectly known ; the species are, as a rule, captured by sweeping after sunset in Gamp and dewy places, but they occasionally occur in fungi, or on sandhills, I have also found them early in hot mornings, sitting upon stones in the sun. The genus Anisotoma is diss tinguished from its nearest allies by having the anterior and inter- mediate tarsi 5-jointed and the posterior tarsi 4-jointed. 24 OLAVICORNIA. [Anisotoma. The larvae of Anisotoma and its allies appear to bear a close relation to that of Choleva. Reitter divides the genus into the four following groups:— I. Posterior angles of thorax projecting, more or less pointed, fitting closely to the base of elytra (Group I.), II. Posterior angles of thorax blunt or rounded, seldom right-angled. i. Interstices of elytra without cross striation. 1. Side margins of elytra without distinct outstanding hairs (Group IT.), 2. Side margins of elytra set with distinct outstanding hairs; posterior angles of thorax rounded (Group ITI.). ii. Interstices of the elytra, especially at the sides, with cross striation (Group IV.). The first group is not as yet represented in our fauna; the second, containing two species (A. ciliaris and A. furva) may perhaps with reason be separated ; but.the fourth, containing the two British species A. parvula and A, rugosa, may with more reason be classed with the third: our species will then fall into two groups which are very uneven in point of numbers. I. Side margins of elytra without distinct outstanding hairs; posterior angles of thorax, rounded, blunt, or rarely right-angled (Group I.). II. Side margins of elytra with distinct outstanding hairs; posterior angles of thorax rounded (Group II.). The characters on which many of the species are separated are very slight, and in many cases comparative, so that a table is not of much value, unless taken in conjunction with the detailed descriptions ; except in two or three instances, all our species of Anisotoma are of a bright ~ chestnut-red, or testaceous-reddish colour; they vary in size from about 2 mm. to nearly 7 mm., and are of oval or oblong-oval form, and more or less convex, with the thorax gradually rounded at sides, narrowed in front, and broadest behind; the antenne terminate in a more or less dis- tinct club, and their eighth joint is much smaller than those above and below it; the elytra are furnished with rather strong punctured strie, and the interstices, at least the alternate ones, are, as a rule, punctured in fine rows: the shape of the tibia, and of their apical spines are also useful characters for determination, Grovp 1. This group contains all our British species except two ; its members are distinguished from those of the other group by not having the sides of the elytra set with distinct outstanding hairs, I. Interstices of elytra without cross striation. i. Club of antenne narrow, last joint not narrower than the penultimate. 1, Anterior tibiw dilated towards apex. A. Average size larger (4-64 mm.) ; form oblong oval or long-oval. a, Second _ of antenne much longer than broad, club usually dark . . . . « « . A OINNAMOMEA, Panz. Anisotoma. | CLAVICORNIA, b. Second joint ofantenne scarcely longer than broad, club usually light . . . .... B. Average size smaller (24-43 mm.) ; form short oval. a, Colour dark pitchy-brown or blackish ; length 3-43 mm. ; antenne with the penul- timate joints more transverse, and the last hardly as broad as the preceding . . b. Colour brown-red or yellowish-red ; length 24-37 mm.: antenne with the penultimate joints less transverse and the last quite as broad as or broader than the preceding. a* Thorax not quite as broad as elytra, with sides distinctly rounded, posterior angles blunt . b* Thorax as broad as elytra, with sides almost parallel from a little behind middle to base, posterior angles almost right eh, eR a at Ek laa es. 2. Anterior tibia narrow. a. Thorax smooth on disc: mesosternum strongly and sharply keeled ; striz of elytra with the punctures set comparatively far apart. a*, Size smaller ; posterior ae of thorax . right angles : b*. Size larger ; posterior ‘angles of thorax slightly obtuse A b, Thorax more or less plainly punctured throughout: mesosternum finely keeled. a*, Strie of elytra more coarsely punctured b*. Strize of elytra more finely punctured. at. Posterior angles of thorax very obtuse, almost rounded . b}. Posterior angles of thorax slightly obtuse, but projecting. af. Club of antenne unicolorous; upper surface ferruginous. *, Club of antennee long and nar- row, with the last joint not broader than the penultimate . . **, Club. of antennz broad, with the last joint slightly broader than the penultimate. . . bf. Club of antenne dark ; ; upper sur- face usually dark, or with thorax dark and elytra ferruginous fe etre ii, Club of antennze as a rule broad, with the last joint plainly narrower than the penultimate. 1. Anterior tibize narrow, 25 A. optonaa, Er. (grandis, Fairm.), A. PICEA, Jil. A. puBIA, Kug.* A, oBESA, Schmidt.* A. BADIA, Sturm. . A, SIMILATA, Rye.t A. sorta, Zr. A, ovaLis, Schmidt. A. BRUNNEA, Sturm. A, CLAVICORNIS, Rye. A. PUNOTULATA, (ditura, Steph.). Gyil, * These two species are so closely allied that they can hardly be regarded as speci . fically distinct. + It appears to be very probable that this species may eventually prove to be a form of the preceding. a 26 QLAVICORNIA, A. Posterior margin of thorax sinuate on each side ; posterior tibie of male very much curved. a*, Club of antennz dark ; posterior femora of male with a large lobe-like bese ending ina point . b*. Club of antenna ferruginous : " posterior femora of male with a large lobe-like tooth, rounded atapex ......, B. Posterior margin of thorax straight ; posterior tibiee of male almost straight. a, Posterior angles of thorax obtuse; colour ferruginous . b. Posterior angles of thorax almost " right angles; colour variable, sometimes entirely *hlack 316 heer 2. Anterior tibie dilated towards apex. A. Form long oval ; elytra broadest at or behind middle. ‘a, Thorax with two or three larger punctures ‘ on disc before scutellum, besides the usual basal row; size larger (length 4-43 mm.). . b. Thorax without larger punctures before scutellum besides the usual basal row ; size smaller (length 3-34 mm.), a*, Thorax hardly as broad as elytra; club of antenne large and broad. «ts We b*, Thorax fuily as broad as elytra: club of antenne smaller and narrower B. Form short oval; elytra broadest "before: middle, and thence narrowed to apex. a. Posterior margin of thorax sinuate on each side near posterior angles, size larger and more depressed . b. Posterior margin of thorax straight, size smaller, and more convex . II. Interstices of elytra with more or less distinct cross striation. i. Posterior angles of thorax obtuse; size larger; last joint of antennz distinctly narrower than the preceding ii, Posterior angles of thorax sharp right angles ; size much smaller ; last joint of antennez not narrower than the preceding . . ... . ee [ Anisotoma. A. CALCARATA,, Er. A. ouRVIPES, Schmidt (macropus, Rye). A RUBIGINOSA, Schmidt. A, NIGRITA, Schmidt, A. stnustaca, Kraatz. A. cuRTA, Fairm. A. LUNICOLLIS, Rye. A. TRIEPKE!, Schmidt. A. PALLENS, Sturm. A. ruGosA, Steph, A. PARVULA, Sahlb. A. cinnamomea, Panz. Oblong, ‘ether convex, ferruginous or reddish-testaceous, shining ; head rather large, finely punctured, antennz moderately long, with the 2nd and 3rd joints elongate, cylindrical, the 3rd being half as long again as the 2nd, club black, last joint as broad as the penultimate ; thorax about as broad as elytra, thickly and finely punctured, moderately rounded at the sides, with posterior angles obtuse, but almost right angles: elytra fully twice as long as thorax, sides sub- parallel until a little before apex, with regular punctured striz, inter- stices very finely punctured, the alternate ones with rows of larger punctures, L, 45-6} mm, Anisotoma. | OLAVICORNIA. 27 _ Male with the posterior legs very long, the femora emarginate and furnished with strong teeth at apex, the tibize very strongly curved, in- termediate pairs much curved, intermediate femora toothed at base ; female with the apical angle of the posterior femora somewhat pro- minent. . ; By evening sweeping among dead leaves in autumn, but more especially in truffles ; rare; Mr. Champion says that he has invariably found it by sweeping as above under old beech-trees, Chatham, Caterham, Mickleham, Sanderstead, Amberley ; Eythorne, near Dover ; Audley End, Saffron Walden, in truffles (Curtis) ; Marlborough ; Devon ; Swansea ; Scotland, very rare, Forth District ; Ireland, near Belfast and Dublin; the species, as might be expected, is common in France in the Périgord district. A. oblonga, Er., grandis, Fairm.). About the size of smaller specimens of the preceding species, but rather more elliptical, and with ‘shorter antenne, which have the club of the same colour as the rest of the body; the species may be easily recognized by the shorter second joint of the antenne, which is scarcely longer than broad; thorax with the anterior angles less marked, and the posterior angles more nearly right angles; elytra with sides rather more rounded, and somewhat broader proportionally, with more strongly punctured strie# ; in the male the posterior tibiee are more evenly curved, and the posterior femora are strongly emarginate and toothed at apex; in this point, however, the ‘specimens appear to be somewhat variable. -L. 4—5 mm. The two species A. oblonga, Er., and A. grandis, Fairm., appear now to be considered identical ; the chief difference on which they were ‘separated seems to have been taken from their sexual characters ; the denticulation, however, of the apex of the posterior femora of male appears to vary in degree, and the same probably applies to the female, which in .A. grandis is said to have the posterior femora angulated, and in A. ob- longa rounded. In case, however, the two species should again be separated, it may be as well to give the records under different head- ings :— ; A, oblonga. One specimen taken by Mr. Harris near Burton-on- Trent and named as A. oblonga, by Dr. Kraatz; Farnham, Surrey (one male, Champion) ; one specimen beaten from broom in a wood near York (Hutchinson) ; Sherwood Forest ; Dumfries, Scotland. A. grandis. Caterham, Mickleham, Esher, by evening sweeping in the autumn in woods (Champion); Mickleham “Hilly Field” under trees (Rye) ; Tilgate Forest; Loughton and Cowfold (Power) ; Highgate (Janson) ; Bretby Wood, near Burton-on-Trent, where I captured a fine specimen on September 30th, 1879, by sweeping in the evening when the grass was so wet that water could be wrung out of the net at each sweep : this specimen was named for me as 4. grandis, and it is worthy of note that it comes from the same locality as the original specimen of A. oblonga. ~ &. picea, Ill. Oblong ovate, convex, of a deep pitchy-black colour, 28 CLAVICORNIA. | Anisotoma. shining, antennse moderate, ferruginous; thorax as broad as elytra, closely punctured, much narrowed in front, posterior margin truncate, hind angles rounded ; elytra with sides rounded, with rather strongly punctured strie, each interstice with two more or less irregular rows of very fine punctures, alternate interstices with larger punctures ; legs red. L. 3} mm, ; Male with the posterior legs elongate, the femora with an obtuse tooth on each side at apex, and the tibie curved, female with the posterior femora terminating in an obtuse angle somewhat rounded. Very rare; Scotland, Forth, Clyde, and Tay districts; the few specimens captured were all, or nearly all, taken by Mr. Foxcroft; the species is one of the most distinct of the whole genus. A. dubia, Kug. Subovate, ferruginous or reddish testaceous, occa- sionally quite pale, sometimes with the head and thorax pitchy, and the elytra ferruginous, size also variable; head thickly punctured, with larger impressions on vertex; antennz moderate, with 3rd joint half as long again as 2nd, club darker or lighter; thorax not quite as broad as - elytra, thickly punctured, rather long proportionally, with sides strongly and evenly rounded, posterior angles very obtuse or rounded ; elytra with” strongly punctured strie, interstices very finely but not very closely punctured, alternate ones with the usual larger punctures ; legs moderately stout. L. 23-3} mm. Male with the posterior legs elongate, femora furnished at apex with a small tooth on each side, tibia feebly biarcuate; female with the posterior femora terminating in an obtuse angle at apex. By evening sweeping in woods, on sand-hills, &c. ; local, but not uncommon in many places ; it is perhaps the most common British member of the genus except A. calea- vrata; Chatham, Darenth Wood, Caterham, Mickieham, Woking, Esher, Shirley, Coombe Wood; Harwich ; Deal ; Hastings ; Glanvilles Wootton ; New Forest ; Exeter; Repton, and other Midland localities ; Manchester district ; Hartlepool ; Holy Island (in numbers), J. J. Walker; Mr. Bold records the capture of large numbers on the sea-shore near Whitby in October and adds, ‘‘ They were on a sandy slope, with head to windward; whence they came bothered me entirely.” * Scotland, rather common, Solway, Tweed, Forth, Tay, and Moray districts; Ireland, Portmarnock. The following varieties of this very variable species may perhaps be mentioned :— V. bicolor, Schmidt. Size smaller, head and thorax pitchy, elytra ferruginous ; it occurs with the type. ; * It is probable that many of the Anisotomina which are now exceedingly rare, will be found plentifully as their habits become better known: they appear to have a great affinity for the sea-shore or the sand-hills adjoining, and many should perhaps be looked for in late autumn: the capture of Hydnobius punctatissimus in very large numbers by Mr, T. Wood near Kingsgate, quite late in the autumn of 1886, is an example: A, ciliaris and Hydnobius Perrisii, and several of the commoner species have occurred in numbers near or not far from the sea-coast, Fe ees ee Anisotoma.| CLAVICORNIA, 29 V. longipes, Schmidt. Size larger, colour entirely ferruginous, legs apparently more elongate; rare, Northumberland district, Hartford Bridge. The V. pallescens, Schmidt, is probably founded cn more or less imma- ture specimens. A. obesa, Schmidt. Very closely allied to the preceding, with which it is probably identical ; it is about the same size, shape, and colour, but has the third joint of the antenne a little longer in proportion, the sides of the thorax not so strongly rounded, and subparallel from a little be- hind middle to base, and the teeth at the apex of posterior femora of. of male more or less obsolete ; the difference of the relative length of the second and third joints of the antenne is, however, not very apparent in some cases, and the other differences are not very striking; of two males of the species that I have before me, that of A. dubia has the punctuation of the striz of elytra considerably the stronger, but the latter species appears to vary in this respect. L. 3-3} mm. By evening sweeping ; rare; Esher ; Weybridge ; Wicken and Burwell Fens; Sher- wood Forest (where I have taken several specimens at the end of August); Scotland, Moss Morran (Power). A. badia, Sturm. A small shining species, ovaté, sub-globose, very convex, variable in colour, sometimes almost entirely pitchy, and with the head and thorax usually darker than the elytra, often, however, en- tirely ferruginous ; head obsoletely punctured, antennee ferruginous, with rather a narrow club, last joint as broad as the two penultimate joints ; thorax at base as broad as elytra, strongly narrowed in front, hind margin truncate, posterior angles well marked, almost right angles, disc impunctate, smooth and shining, a point that will distinguish it from almost all allied species ; elytra very convex, usually lighter at apex, with strongly punctured striz which become more obsolete towards apex, in- terstices scarcely visibly punctured, except for the larger rows in the alternate ones; legs short, shorter than in any other species of the group, posterior tibize only just reaching apex of elytra, tarsi rather long proportionally. L. 13-2 mm. By evening sweeping; occasionally in moss and dead leaves; local but not un- common in some places; London district, generally distributed, Chatham, Cuxton (Kent), Faversham, Mickleham, Croydon, Caterham, Esher, Reigate, Cowley, Purley Down ;- Hastings ; Glanvilles Wootton; Repton, near Burton-on-Trent, and other Midland localities ; Hartlepool ; Northumberland district, Hetton Hall, near Belford. A. similata, Rye. Mr. Rye describes this species as “ closely allied to A. badia, from which it differs in its rather larger size and lighter colour, the more slender basal joints of its antenne, and its proportionally rather longer elytra, of which the punctures are, though regular and well defined, much more delicate, the fourth stria from the suture being moreover, slightly waved about the upper third.” L. 2 mm. * 30 CLAVICORNIA. [ Antsotoma. Two specimens taken by Mr. Rye at Shirley, near Croydon, by evening sweeping, and returned by Dr. Kraatz as distinct from 4, badia. A. scita, Er. Very closely allied to A. dubia, and Saethys variable in colour; it is chiefly distinguished by having the anterior tibie less widened ; this character, however, is not altogether trustworthy, and it is quite possible that the species are not really distinct ; it appears, how- ever, to have the thorax widest at or very near the base (instead of nearer the middle), with a much more shallow emargination for the reception of the head, and is, on the average, considerably smaller. L. 23-22 mm. The species was first taken as British near York by Mr. Hutchinson, anil has occurred in some small numbers to Dr. Sharp in the Solway district, Scotland. I have also taken a specimen near Hunstanton, Norfolk, which was somewhat doubtfully referred to this species by Mr. Rye. . . A. ovalis, Schmidt. Oval, convex, ferruginous; head thickly and finely, punctured, antenne rather long, with a somewhat elongate club of which the three last joints are equal in breadth; thorax at base somewhat narrower than elytra, thickly and finely punctured, narrowed towards apex, with sides evenly rounded, base truncate, posterior angles almost right angles ; elytra very convex, with moderately strongly punc- tured stria, interstices very closely and finely punctured, the alternate ones’ with larger punctures. L. 3-34 mm. Male with the posterior legs somewhat elongate, femora simple, rounded at apex, tibiee moderately curved, female with the posterior tibiz almost straight. By evening sweeping; local, and as a rule not common; Caterham, Forest Hill, . Claygate ; Matlock ; Scarborough ; Whalley, Laneashire ; Northumberland district, recorded. by Mr, Bold as not’ uncommon, and.often found on the tops of walls, beneath trees, especially after rain; Scotland, scarce, Solway and Tay districts. Reitter (Best. Tab. der Eur. Col., p. 101) distinguishes this species from A. scita on the ground that the latter species has only one puncture on each side of forehead, whereas A. ovalis has two; A. scita, however, - appears, at all events in some cases, to have two; it is a differently shaped insect as compared with A. ovalis, and has the sculpture of elytra considerably stronger. A. brunnea, Sturm. Entirely ferruginous, shining, with a narrow club to its concolorous antenna, last joint not broader or narrower than the preceding ; thorax not sinuate at base, with the posterior angles almost right angles, distinct ; strie of elytra moderately finely punctured, somewhat irregular, the third stria somewhat waved in middle; male with the posterior legs rather elongate, the femora unarmed, and the posterior tibize curved, especially in middle. L. 13-2} mm. By evening sweeping ; very rare; Weybridge (Power); Mickleham, on the wing (Marsh) ; Scarborough (Lawson). This species was originally considered by Dr, Kraatz as a small form Anisotoma, | CLAVICORNIA. 31 of A, obesa, and as such was expunged from our lists (Ent. Annual 1859, p. 122); Mr. Rye, however, in reintroducing the species (Ent. Monthly Mag. IX. 135), discusses the whole question, and proves satisfactorily that it is distinct; in fact it is more closely related to A. calcarata than to A. obesa, from which latter it is easily distinguished, among other points, by the singly curved posterior tibie of the male, the less dilated anterior tibiw, and the relative length of the second and third joints of the antenne: from small specimens of A. calcarata it may be known by the truncate hind margin of thorax, and more acute posterior angles of the same, as well as by the unarmed posterior tibie ; it somewhat resembles A. litura, but may be easily separated from that species by the narrower and entirely ferruginous club of the antennae, and the comparatively wider apical joints. A. clavicornis, Rye. Oval, convex, ferruginous-testaceous, thorax not very closely punctured, with sides evenly rounded, truncate at base, elytra rather coarsely but not deeply punctured ; distinguished from all other species by the structure of the antennz, which are very short, gradually widened towards apex, with the fourth, fifth, and sixth joints unusually small, and the apical joints, though short, as wide as the two preceding, which are very transverse. L. 25 mm. This species was described by Rye from a single specimen taken in flood refuse on the banks of the Nith, near Thornhill, Dumfries, October, 1873, by Dr. Sharp ; it has occurred since in France and Southern Europe. A. punctulata, Gyll. (litura, Steph., ornata, Fairm.). Oblong, ferruginous, with the head and thorax often more or less pitchy, and the elytra, as a rule, with the suture, and a more or less defined streak on each side, darker; occasionally almost the whole insect is of a dark pitchy colour; antennz moderate, with the club rather long, fuscous or blackish ; thorax a little narrower at base than elytra, with the sides very gently rounded, posterior angles almost right angles, upper surface finely and not very closely punctured ; elytra with strongly punctured strie, interstices scarcely visibly punctured, except for the large punctures in the alternate ones. L. 23-3 mm. Male with the posterior legs elongate, the femora unarmed, and the tibiw rather strongly curved. By evening sweeping in autumn among dead leaves, in flood rubbish, &c.; local but not uncommon insome places ; Mi-kleham, Caterham, Shirley, Forest Hill, High- gate, Darenth; Folkestone; Hastings ; Glanvilles Wootton; New Forest; Burton- on-Trent ; Lincoln ; Hartlepool ; Northumberland district, rare, Wallington, Gosforth, | &c. ; Scotland, Lowlands, rare, Solway, Forth, and Dee districts; Ireland, Port- mannock. . A. calcarata, Er. Oblong ovate, ferruginous, with the head and thorax sometimes somewhat darker, exceedingly variable in size : head thickly and finely punctured, antenne moderately long, with fuscous club, last joint narrower than penultimate : thorax not quite as broad 32 OCLAVICORNIA. [ Anisotoma. as elytra, with sides rather strongly rounded in front, base bisinuate, posterior angles nearly right angles, but blunt, or even almost rounded, upper surface finely and not very thickly punctured ; elytra with strongly punctured striz, interstices extremely finely punctured, except for the rows of larger punctures in the alternate ones. L. 12-33 mm. Male with the posterior legs elongate, the femora terminating in a large sharp tooth at apex, and the tibiw very strongly arcuate ; female with the posterior femora terminating in a slightly prominent angle, tibie almost straight. By evening sweeping, &c.; generally distributed and moderately common through- out the greater part of England ; Bold, however, records it as rare in the Northumber- land district ; Scotland, common, Solway, Forth, Dee, Moray and probably other districts; Ireland, Belfast, Portmarnock, Waterford, &c. A. curvipes, Schmidt (macropus, Rye). Oblong-ovate, convex, ferruginous, (immature examples testaceous) ; antenne rather short, with the club scarcely darker, and the last joint evidently narrower than the preceding ; thorax with the sides evenly rounded, slightly sinuate on each side at base, posterior angles obtuse, upper surface closely and finely punctured ; elytra with strongly punctured strize, sides subparallel until behind middle and thence narrowed and rounded to apex; anterior tibie slender, posterior femora coarsely punctured beneath. L. 2-3 mm. Male with the posterior legs elongate, the femora armed beneath with a large lobe-like tooth which has the external angle- rounded, tibiz moderately curved to apex. , By evening sweeping under fir trees; very rare ; Esher, five examples taken by Mr. Champion in August, 1873. , This species is allied to small examples of A. calcarata, but differs in being always of a uniform clear ferruginous colour, of rather larger build, with the base of thorax not distinctly sinuate near posterior angles; the punctures of the striz of elytra are larger, and the lobe-like tooth at the apex of posterior femora is rounded and not sharply pro- minent. A. rubiginosa, Schmidt. Globose-ovate, strongly convex, shining, ferruginous or yellowish-red ; head large, finely and not very thickly punctured, forehead with only two larger punctures, antenne short and stout with the third joint a little longer than the second, club thick, as a rule concolorous but sometimes darker, last joint much narrower than the preceding ; thorax strongly rounded at sides, base truncate, finely and sparingly punctured, posterior angles blunt ; elytra rounded at sides, broadest in middle, with strong punctured striz, interstices scarcely visibly punctured, except for the larger punctures in the alternate ones; legs very stout, tibiz strongly spined. L. 2-22 mm. Male with the posterior femora terminating in an oblique and slightly prominent tooth, tibiz slightly curved. ; ; 4 Anisotoma. } CLAVICORNIA. 33 This species has been alternately introduced and omitted from our lists on two or three occasions, and I here introduce it again with some reserve, on a specimen named for me on the Continent as ‘ prés rubi- ginosa,” {now in the possession of Mr. Mason), which must, I think, be referred to this species, as it is certainly not sufficiently distinct to be regarded as a new species, The species appears to be chiefly distinguished by having the thorax more convex than the elytra, by the very fine and at the same time diffuse punctuation of the thorax, and the almost invisible punctuation of the interstices of the elytra. A. nigrita, Schmidt. Oblong-oval, moderately convex, colour variable, sometimes almost entirely pitchy black, sometimes quite light ferruginous, and varying between these two extremes; antenne reddish, with the club dark brown; thorax at base almost as broad as elytra, _ narrowed in front, hind margin truncate, posterior angles almost right angles, upper surface convex, very finely and not very thickly punc- tured ; elytra rather long, more than twice as long as thorax, with strongly punctured striz, which are rather irregular towards suture, inter- stices finely and very sparingly punctured ; legs ferruginous, posterior tibie short and straight in both sexes. L. 2-22 ntm. Male with the posterior femora terminating in a large sharp tooth. By evening sweeping, under fir-trees; very local ; London district, not uncommon, Chatham, Esher, Woking, Shirley, Reigate; it has also occurred in the New Forest. 3 A. silesiaca, Kr. A large and fine species; oblong-oval, very convex, entirely ferruginous, except the club which is darker, sometimes blackish, and the eye and apex of mandibles which are black : head and thorax closely and very distinctly punctured ; thorax a little nar- rower than elytra, with sides slightly rounded, base truncate, posterior angles almost right augles : elytra twice as long as thorax, convex, with strongly punctured strie, interstices very finely and closely but distinctly punctured, so that they appear rather dull, alternate interstices with rather closely set rows of somewhat large punctures. L. 43-4? mm. Male with the anterior tarsi rather strongly dilated, posterior femora simple with the apical angle rounded, tibie slightly curved. A single specimen was taken by Dr. Sharp in July, 1866, at Inver- cannich, at the foot of Glen Affrick, Inverness-shire: the species was formerly introduced by Mr. Crotch into the British list as a large speci- men of A. ovalis, named A. silesiaca by M. Schiddte : the two species, however, differ entirely in sculpture, the elytra of A. ovalis being much more finely punctured ; the latter insect is mereover less elongate and more ovate, and has the club of the antennz longer and less stout. A. silesiaca somewhat resembles A. furva, but has longer posterior legs and no cilia at the margins of the elytra, besides being different in other respects. VOL. II. | D 34 CLAVICORNIA. [ Anisotoma. A. curta, Fairm. Oval, very convex, almost equally narrowed in front and behind, of a shining testaceous reddish colour; antennse short with club slightly darker, stout and broad ; head usually darker than the rest of the body, very finely and closely punctured ; thorax very convex, not quite as broad at base as elytra, posterior angles obtusely rounded, closely but distinctly punctured ; elytra twice as long as thorax, with rather deep and closely and strongly punctured strie, interstices obsoletely punctured, alternate rows with widely set larger punctures. L. 3-35 mm. Male with the posterior femora terminating in a blunt angle, or as Fairmaire in his description says, “terminated above and below by two small and slightly projecting teeth,” * posterior femora curved, The species is closely allied to A. dubia, but is easily distinguished by its rather longer build, the much stronger punctuation of its thorax, the sides of which are more contracted behind, by the apical joint of the antenne being distinctly narrower than the penultimate, and by the different curvature of the posterior tibiee of the male. Sandy places, by evening sweeping under fir-trees, very rare; one example taken by Mr. Champion at Esher, October, 1873, and one by the Rev. T. Laundy Browne pear Norwich; it appears to be very common on the sandy coasts of Normandy, und also occurs near Paris; it will probably be found in numbers on our south-east coast. A. lunicollis, Rye. Oblong ovate, convex, shining, ferruginous ; antenne with the club somewhat elongate, fuscescent, last joint distinctly narrower than the penultimate ; thorax in middle a little broader than elytra, ample and convex, sides strongly rounded, basetruneate, upper surface finely and moderately thickly, but distinctly punctured ; posterior angles rounded ; elytra with rather strongly and thickly punctured stris, the punctures being somewhat smaller than in some of the allied species, interstices finely but distinctly punctured ; intermediate and posterior tibie rather stout. .L. 22 mm. Male with the intermediate tibie dilated towards apex and slightly curved, posterior femora produced in a lobe terminating in a tooth above and below at apex, tibiee slightly curved. By evening sweeping, in flood refuse, &c.; very rare; Forest Hill (Marsh) ; Sydenham (Waterhouse); Cowley (Power); Scarborough (Lawson); Hartlepool (Gardner). This species is allied to 4. calcarata, but differs in the more rounded sides and ungles of thorax, and the truncate base of the same, and also in its more oblong build, and closer set and smaller punctures of the strie of the elytra, as well as by the less strongly dilated posterior tibiee of the male, A. triepkei, Schmidt. Oval, moderately convex, lighter or darker * The descriptions of the male characters of Anisotoma often vary very much in different authors; the posterior femora are usually dilated in a lobe, which from above appears single, but in reality is double, being formed of two plates separated by a groove, as will be seen by viewing the tibiae sideways; the apex of each of these plates is terminated by one or more teeth, or is obtuse or rounded ; some authors describe the characters on one plate, some on both, and hence arises the confusion. Anisotom«a.] CLAVICORNIA. 35 ferrnginous or brownish-red ; antennee rather short, club long, as long as the rest of the antennie, ‘first and last joints not so broad as the others ; thorax at base narrower than elytra, rounded at sides, broadest in middle, base bisinuate, posterior angles almost rounded, upper surface rather thickly and very distinctly punctured ; elytra with sides not strongly rounded, rather depressed on disc, with strongly punctured strie, the punctures, however, being not as large as in some of the allied species, interstices very finely punctured, alternate ones with distinct larger punctures. L. 3-4} mm. Male with the posterior legs elongate, the femora angularly dilated and finely denticulate in middle, and rounded at apex, tibie biarcuate. By evening sweeping; very rare; Forest Hill (Power) ; Weybridge ; Hartlepool (Gardner); Scotland very rare, Forth and Tay sai the first British specimen was taken by Mr. Hislop, near Falkirk. This species is allied to A. dubia, but differs in its more oval and depressed form, bisinuate base of thorax, and broad head, as well as by having the last joint of the antenne narrower than the penultimate, and the forehead furnished with two instead cf four depressions ; it appears to vary very much in size; in Dr. Sharp’s collection there is a large, almost pitchy-ferruginous, male, which is nearly 4} mm. in length. A. pallens, Sturm. Short oval, of a light testaceous colour, strongly convex ; head large, antenne very short, club a little darker ; ; thorax narrower at base than elytra, as broad or broader in middle than at base, base truncate, posterior angles obtuse, upper surface thickly and finely punctured ; elytra convex with rather finely punctured striz, interstices thickly and exceedingly finely punctured ; legs in both sexes stout, pos- terior legs short, shorter than in any other species in the group except A. badia, femora rather broad. L. 2 mm.. Male with the posterior tibiz slightly curved. By evening sweeping in sandy places near the coast; three specimens taken by Mr, J. J. Walker at Deal on September 19th, 1873, This species by its short legs and antennw and general appearance seems at first sight to belong to the other group which contains A. edliaris and A. furva ; it is, however, readily distinguished from these, apart from its smaller size, by the absence of cilia on the margins of the elytra and the somewhat longer and less stout posterior tibie, as well as by the much finer punctuation of the thorax, and the finer punctuation of the striw and interstices of the elytra: it is one of the species that will probably be found in considerable numbers in Britain, as it is widely distributed on the continent, having occurred in France, Germany, Austria, and Russia. The next two species are easily distinguished from all the others belonging to the genus by the distinct cross striation of the interstices of the elytra. D2 36 CLAVICORNIA, [ Anisotoma. A. rugosa, Steph. Short oval, moderately convex, ferruginous or brownish-red, shining ; head and thorax thickly and distinctly punctured, antenne comparatively long, with rather a long elub, the last joint of which is much narrower than the penultimate, and is rather long and pointed ; thorax at base slightly narrower than elytra, narrowed in front, base truncate, posterior angles obtuse and almost rounded ; elytra oval, rounded at sides, with rather feeble and not strongly punctured striz, interstices very plainly transversely rugose, and besides this more or less distinctly punctured; the alternate interstices are also furnished with larger punctures; legs red. L. 3-4 mm, Male with the posterior legs elongate, the femora dilated and rounded at apex, and tle tibis strongly curved. By evening sweeping; very rare; London district (Stephens and Janson) ; Cater- ham (Champion); Weybridge; Mickleham (Power); Scarborough (Lawson) ; Hartlepool (Gardner); Northumberland district, banks of the Irthing, near Gilsland ; Ireland, North Bull, near Dublin, A. parvula, Sahlb. A very small species, which can only be com- pared with A. badia from which it is easily distinguished by the dis», tinct cross striation of the interstices of the elytra; the thorax moreover, which is impunctate on disc in A. badia, is finely punctured throughout ; the sculpture of the elytra is much finer and the posterior legs are longer ; the form is short oval and convex: antenna rather long, with the club a little darker; thorax rather short, base truncate, posterior angles sharp right angles, upper surface very finely punctured; elytra with finely punctured striz, interstices cross-striated; legs simple in both sexes. L. 1-1} mm. By evening sweeping in woods; rare; Chatham, Darenth Wood, Mickleham, Caterham, Esher, Whitstable; Bognor; Glanvilles Wootton; Plymouth; Scotland, rare, Solway, Tweed and Forth districts ; it probably oceurs in many other localities ; it is usually uncommon but is somewhat widely distributed in Northern and Central Europe. sf Group 2. This group contains the two rare species A. ciliaris and A. furva, which are distinguished from those of the preceding group by having the side margins of the elytra set with distinct outstanding hairs ; they may be also easily recognized by their short and stout dilated posterior tibie, which hardly extend to the apex of the elytra, a point in which they differ from all the other species of the same size: A. badia has rather short posterior tibiz, but they are scarely dilated, and the whole insect is of an entirely different appearance and much smaller: it is important that these characters should be carefully noted, as the short hairs on the margins of the elytra of A. furva are apt to get rubbed off. I, Side margins of elytra set with long hairs; thorax broadest just bebind middle ; size smaller; colour lighter, A. CILIARIS, Schmidt. If. Side margins of elytra set with short hairs; thorax broadést just before base ; size larger; colour darker . . A. FURVA, Er. Anisotoma. | _ OLAVICORNIA. 37 A. ciliaris, Schmidt. Short elliptical, very convex, of a reddish- brown or reddish testaceous colour ; head rather large, thickly punctured, antenne short, with well-marked club, of which the last joint is consider- ably narrower than the penultimate ; thorax short, distinctly narrower than elytra, broadest just behind middle, posterior angles rounded, finely and thickly punctured ; elytra very convex, with distinct and rather long outstanding hairs on margins, with rather fine striw, interstices flat, somewhat finely and thickly punctured ; legs stout, posterior tibie short and dilated towards apex, strongly spinose externally ; male with the anterior tarsi scarcely dilated. L. 3-3} mm. In sandy places, especially on sand-hills near the sea; rare; the first British specimens were recorded by Mr. G. R. Waterhouse ; Mr. W. G. Blatch has found it in considerable numbers on the sand-hills near Swansea, and Mr. Moncreaff has taken it at Cumberland Fort near Portsea. A. furva, Er. Very closely allied to the preceding, but larger,’ and of a darker reddish colour, with the thorax broadest just before base and exactly as broad as the elytra; the club of the antenna is longer, and the penultimate joint is more transverse ; the interstices of the elytra are not so closely punctured, and the marginal cilia are shorter and less apparent, and the posterior tibie are less thickened ; the general form, moreover, is rather longer and less convex. L. 33-3$ mm. On sand-hills, &c.; very rare; Constantine, Lancashire (Power); in Dr. Sharp’s: collection there is a fine specimen without locality; it has also been recorded from Devonshire. COLENITS, Erichson. This genus contains five or six species from Europe and North America ; they are minute globose insects, of a testaceous colour, and are distin- guished by having the antenne with a 3-jointed club, the mesosternum carinate, and the tarsi 5-4-4-juinted: one species is found in Britain. Curtis describes another as C. Luti/rons which is mentioned in Water- house’s catalogue as “ Leiodes?” and is given as synonymous with C. dentipes: in the European catalogue of Heyden, Reitter, and Weise it is mentioned as a distinct species, but Reitter omits it altogether in bis work on the Necrophaga. I cannot find out anything further about it, and believe that we only possess one species. Cc. dentipes, Gyll. (¢mmunda, Sturm., acteulata, Steph., brunnea, Steph. coll.). Short oval, strongly convex, reddish-yellow or reddish- brown, shining ; head moderately Jarge, antenne rather long with the last joint narrower than the preceding, reddish-brown ; thorax behind about as broad as elytra, narrowed in front, gently rounded at sides, anterior angles rounded, basal margin truncate, posterior angles sharp right angles, upper surface impunctate ; elytra with very fine punctured striz, the interstices finely transversely strigose, sutural stria distinct from apex to beyond middle ; legs reddish testaceous. L, 1-14 mm. 38 CLAVICORNIAs | Colenis. Male with the posterior femora broad and compressed, with a blunt tooth between base and middle, and a sharp tooth between middle and “apex. By beating, evening sweeping, &c. ; London district, not uncommon and generally distributed ; Hastings; New Forest; Glanvilles Woottou; Devon; Knowle, near Birmingham ; Bretby, near Burton-on-Trent; Matlock; Lincoln; Northumberland district, not rare; Scotland, scaree, Solway, Tweed, Forth, and Clyde districts ; Ireland, near Belfast and Dublin. AGARICOPHAGUS, Schmidt. This genus contains three European species, of which two occur very rarely in Britain; they resemble Anisotoma in having a 5-jointed club to the antenn, the second joint of the club being very small, and in the fact that the mesosternum is carinate ; they differ, however, in having the tarsi 4- 3- 3-jointed. I. Larger, long oval; interstices of elytra moderately thickly cross-striated ABORT MOM Te ee II. Smaller, short oval; interstices of elytra very thickly cross-striated . . . . «. . . . . . . A. CONFORMIS, Er. A. CEPHALOTES, Schinidt. A. cephalotes, Schmidt. Oblong-oval, not very convex, of a lighter or darker reddish testaceous or ferruginous colour; head large, very finely punctured and cross-striated ; antennz moderate, with rather long 5-jointed club; thorax as broad as elytra, with sides slightly rounded and very little narrowed in front, with all the angles rounded, upper surface extremely finely punctured and cross-striated, so that it appears a little dull ; elytra with distinctly punctured striz, sutural stria rather strong, reaching from apex to about middle, interstices rather thickly and plainly cross-striated ; legs reddish testaceous. L. 2 mm. Male with the head larger than in female, and with the posterior femora dilated, emarginate beneath, and armed in the middle with a recurved tooth. By evening sweeping in and about woods; rare; London district, where it occurs in several localities; Shirley, Caterham, Claygate, Mickleham, Tilgate, Shepherds Well (Champion, Power, and Waterhouse) ; Rusper (Gorham). A. conformis, Er. Very closely allied to the preceding, but smaller and of a shorter oval form, with the head smaller, and the thorax more narrowed in front ; the elytra also are more thickly cross-striated, and the posterior femora of the male are only armed with a minute tooth in middle. L. 13-1} mm. A specimen in Dr. Power’s collection named A. conformis has been confirmed for me by Herr Reitter as belonging to this species; this specimen is from Mickleham, and there are others in Dr. Power's collec- tion from Birch Wood and Cowfold ; the differences appear to me so slight that I should be very sorry to separate the species if mixed. A. conformis has been before introduced into the British list by Mr. Ayaricophagus. | CLAVICORNIA, 39 Crotch and then dropped as being only a small cephalotes, and I should prefer to consider Dr. Power’s specimens as all belonging to the latter species, were it not for Reitter’s determination ; A. preecellens, Hampe, the third European species, is regarded by Reitter as synonymous with A. cephalotes ; it is pine therefore that the species are all very closely connected, HYDNOBIUS, Schmidt. This genus contains about eight species, two of which are found in North America and one in Chili; the others occur in Europe ; four of these have hitherto been discovered in Britain ; they have, as a rule, been considered. very rare, but one or two have lately been found in large numbers ; Rye added a fourth species, H. spinipes, Gyll., but after- wards withdrew it, believing that his specimen was only a highly developed male of H. strigosus ; H. spinipes appears, however, to be more closely related to H. punctatus (of which it has been by some authors considered as the female) than to H. strigosus; the genus resembles Triarthron in having all the tarsi 5-jointed, but differs from that genus in having the club 5-jointed with the second joint small, as in Amisotoma. Our species may be distinguished as follows :— 1. Size larger (834-4 mm.,); punctuation very coarse ; side margins of elytra set with fine hairs . . . . H. PERRIsI, Fairm. IJ. Size smaller (13-23 mm.); punctuation finer; side margins of elytra without hairs, i. Length 2-23 mm.; club of antenne nearly always dark, last joint plainly narrower than the penultimate. 1, Colour variable, nearly always pitchy black, but sometimes ferruginous; punctuation of elytra somewhat confused; male with the posterior femora armed with a large trian- gular recurved tooth . . . . H. Puncrarissimus, Step/, 2. Colour always ferruginous or reddish-y low; rows of punctures on elytra regular, those of the interstices being almost as strong as those of the regular striz ; male with the posterior femora armed with a spiviform tooth . . . H. punctatus, Sturm. ii. Length 14-13 mm.; club of antennae reddish testaceous, last joint hardly, if at all, narrower than the penultimate . . . . .. . . . H. srrigosus, Schmidt, H. Perrisi, Fairm. Oblong ovate, somewhat depressed, varying in colour from ferruginous (in somewhat immature specimens) to dark reddish-brown, which latter is the usual colour of the insect ; the elytra are often obscurely darker at suture ; head large, rather strongly punc- tured ; antenne short, with well-marked blackish club, the last joint of which is narrower than the penultimate ; thorax narrower than elytra, narrowed in front, broadest behind middle, and thence narrowed to base, posterior angles very obtuse, almost rounded, upper surface thickly and 40 CLAVICORNIA, [Hydnobiur. coarsely punctured, base truncate; elytra long, rather depressed on dise, with strongly punctured striz, and with the interstices very distinctly punctured, sometimes presenting a slightly rugose appearance ; legs rather stout, tibiz somewhat dilated towards apex in both sexes. L. 33-4 mm. Male with the posterior legs longer, the femora dilated and terminating above and below in a well-marked, but not sharp, tooth; tibie rather strongly curved. In sandy places on the coast; rare ; first introduced as British on two old specimens in Mr. Waterhouse’s collection, supposed to have come from Scotland; three specimens were also found by Mr. Rye among some undetermined Anisotomide in the Rey. H. Clark’s collection ; it has also been recorded from Gateshead, but has been considered one of our rarest British Coleoptera until quite recently, when most of our collections have been supplied with it throngh the liberality of Mr. J. Gardner, who has taken it in numbers near Hartlepool. H. punctatissimus, Steph. Oblong-ovate, rather depressed, usually of a deep pitchy black colour, but variable in this respect, and occasionally ferruginous ; head rather large in both sexes, finely and rather diffusely punctured ; antenn moderate, reddish with dark club, last joint narrower than the penultimate; thorax about as broad as elytra with sides rounded and narrowed in front, posterior angles rounded, upper surface rather diffusely punctured; elytra with moderately strongly punctured strie, and the interstices also plainly punctured; the sculpture, however, is rather confused and irregular ; legs entirely ferruginous, or black with the knees reddish, tarsi always reddish-yellow. L. 2-2} mm. Male with the posterior femora armed with a strong triangular recurved tooth. By evening sweeping ; also in sandy places on and near elifis; very local; Caterham; Mickleham; Kingsgate; Glanvilles Wootton; Uphill, near Weston-super-Mare ; Mablethorpe, Lincolnshire ; Scarborough ; Constantine, Lancashire; Northumberland district, very rare, Saltwell and Long Benton; Scotland, very rare, Forth district. This has usnally been considered one of our rarest British species, but quite recently Mr. Theodore Wood has found it. by hundreds on the shore and on and about the cliffs at Kingsgate near Margate; it has usually been distinguished from H. punctatus by its dark pitchy black colour, but among these there were a number of apparently mature light ferruginous specimens which plainly belong to the species, of which they must be regarded as a light variety. H. punctatus, Sturm. Very closely allied to the preceding, but of smaller average size, and distinguished by being invariably of a ferru- ginous colour, and by the more regular punctuation of the elytra, the punctures on the interstices being as large and regular as those of the striz ; the male also has the posterior femora terminated by a long spini- form tooth, L. 2mm. By sweeping, &c.; very rare; Mr. Crotch records eight specimens of this species and H. spinipes (which, as above observed, is regarded by some authors as a form of the female of H. punctatus) from “North Wales, Liverpool, and Scotland ;” Purley Hydnobius. | CLAVICORNIA. 41 Down and Mickleliam (Power) ; Manchester and Liverpool district, Hightown (Archer); Mr. Crotch’s speciinens named H. spinipes must evidently be referred to this insect, as H. spinipes, if distinct, appears not to have been found in Britain. H. strigosus, Schmidt. A very small species, oblong, lighter or darker reddish testaceous or ferruginous, sometimes with the head and thorax darker ; antenne entirely reddish testaceous, with a moderately long club, of which the last joint is about as broad as the penultimate ; thorax about as broad as elytra, narrowed in front, broadest near base, posterior angles blunt, upper surface finely punctured ; elytra with sides subparallel until a little before apex, with rather fine rows of punctures, interstices more or less plainly wrinkled transversely, sutural stria deep ; legs clear yellow. L. 14-1} mm. : Male with the posterior femora armed with a broad triangular tooth. By evening sweeping; rare; Chatham, Darenth Wood, Caterham, Mickleham, Forest Hill, Maidstone, Sheppy, Bearstead, Claygate, Birdbrook \ Essex), Sanderstead ; Shipley near Horsham ; Bognor, in plenty (Waterhouse); Barmouth (Blatch). TRIARTHRON, Maerkel. This genus contains one species which is found very rarely in England and in Central Europe ; it is distinguished from all the other members of the Anisotomide except Hydnobius by having all the tarsi 5-jointed ; from Hydnobius it differs in having the club of the antenne 3-jointed ; in the latter genus it is 5-jointed. T. Maerkeli, Schmidt. Oblong oval, convex, of a reddish-yellow colour, shining ; head rather larger in male than in female, finely pune- tured ; antenne moderately long, with broad and distinct 3 jointed club ; thorax behind middle as broad as elytra, transverse, with sides rounded, posterior angles rounded, upper surface finely punctured ; elytra with sides gently rounded, with strongly punctured striz, interstices almost smooth, except for a few widely spread large punctures on the alternate ones; legs rather short. L, 3-34} mm, ; Male with the posterior femora compressed, excised underneath at base, and dilated and denticulate in middle, anterior tarsi somewhat dilated. By evening sweeping, invariably beneath fir-trees; very rare; Esher (Power and Rye); Shirley (Janson) ; Woking (Saunders and Champion); New Forest (Janson) ; in the latter locality some very large specimens have been obtained. SILPHINA. This: tribe contains the largest members belonging to the family, including the well-known “ Necrophori” or “ Burying beetles ;” the anterior cox are conical and prominent and furnished with a large tro- chantin or paracoxa, and the posterior cox are contiguous; the anterior coxal cavities are open behind ; the abdomen has six free ventral segments, and the tarsi are all 5-jointed. 42 CLAVICORNTA. [ Silphina. I. Antenne apparently 10-jointed, the second joint being very small, with an abrupt capitate 4-jointed club . Nxcrornokvus, F. If. Autenne distinctly 11-jointed, with a gradual club, ¢ or simply thickened towards apex. i. Thorax suborbicular; eyes very large; general shape - like Necrophorus . oe 6 © © «© « « « « NECRODES, Wilkin. ii, Thorax more or less semicircular; eyes small or moderate; form ovate . . . . ». « e « + e« SILPHA, DL. NECROPHORWS, Fabricius. This genus is distinguished from the other members of the Silphina by having the antennz apparently 10-jointed, and terminated by a very abrupt round club made up of four joints: the antennz are, however, really 11 jointed, the second joint being very small ; the Necrophori are large insects, sometimes black, but more often black with the elytra traversed by broad orange bands; the genus contains a considerable number of species, which are chiefly found in Europe, Northern Asia and North America; very few have hitherto been discovered in tropical countries: as the well-known “ burying beetles” they are familiar to all observers of nature; in the larger carcases, which they frequent in ‘considerable numbers, and in the birds, small quadrupeds, frogs, &c., which they bury bodily they lay their eggs, which hatch and grow into thick fleshy larve, sustained by the food thus provided for them ; these larvee in shape somewhat resemble those of Cercyon, but are provided with short legs ; when full-grown they attain a considerable size ; those of NV. vespillo and NV. mortuorum are figured by Schiddte I., viii. figs. 1, 11, and 15; the head is small, and is furnished with short antenne ; the prothorax is narrower, but considerably longer, than the meso- and meta- thorax ; the abdominal segments are furnished with rather small corneous plates, each of which is furnished with four teeth pointing backwards ; the ninth segment bears two short cerci, which are more elongate in J. mortuorum than in N. vespillo. The colour of these larvee is dirty-white or yellowish, with the corneous parts of a deeper dirty-yellow colour ; the pupa does not present any striking peculiarity ; it is considerably narrowed behind, and is terminated by two small cerci; when the larva has reached maturity, it forms for itself a cell underground, in which it undergoes its transformation to the perfect insect. The Necrophori resemble each other very closely in structure, so that a separate description is not necessary in each case: the head varies somewhat in size, but is strongly narrowed at some little distance behind eyes ; the antenne vary chiefly as regards the colour of the club; the thorax is trapezoidal, with the angles rounded, slightly narrowed behind, with large explanate borders, which are much more strongly punctured than dise ; in the middle there is a central furrow, and the anterior part of the disc is uneven, the central part being rather raised ; the elytra are dilated behind, or subparallel, truncate, and leaving part of the abdomen Necrophorus.] CLAVICORNIA. 45 exposed ; legs stout, posterior tibiz either straight or curved ; some of the species are very variable as regards size. About a dozen species of Necrophorus are found in Europe, of which seven are regarded as British ; one of these, however, NV. germanicus, is somewhat doubtfully indigenous. I. Elytra black, without orange bands. i. Club of antenne black, epipleurse red. N. GerManicus, L. ii. Club of antenne reddish-yellow, epipleurze black or obscurely brown . . « . « « N. HuMATOR, F. II. Elytra black, with large orange bands, i. Club of antenne black . . a ot a vk. au Ne MORTUORUM, LP ii. Club of antenne reddish yellow, 1. Posterior tibize straight. A. Thorax with long yellow hairs on all the margins . . « N. vestiGgator, Hersch. B. Thorax without yellow hairs on 1 margins. a. Anterior orange band continued without interruption across both elytra; abdomen with thin pubescence at extreme apex . N. kUSPATOR, Er. b. Anterior orange band of elytra inter- rupted by alongitudinal common dark band at suture: abdomen broadly and thickly pubescent before apex . . . . . . . N. INnTERRUPTUS, Steph. 2. Posterior tibie curved; thorax with yellow hairs on anterior margin. . . . . . . . N, VESPILLO, ZL. N. germanicus, L. The largest species of the genus; black, with a spot on forehead (which is obscure in female), and the epipleure of elytra reddish testaceous, antennz short, with the club black; thorax trapezoidal, with angles rounded, dise finely channelled and punctured, rather raised, sides strongly punctured ; scutellum long; elytia-closely punctured with two feebly raised longitudinal lines on each ; legs some- what stout, anterior tarsi of male dilated and furnished beneath with reddish brush-like hairs. L. 25-32 mm. Very rare and doubtfully indigenous ; recorded by Stephens from Moushold Heath near Norwich, Oxford, and the banks of the Thames above Windsor, and by Curtis from Norfolk; it has lately been recorded from Fairlight near Hastings, in the catalogue of the Coleoptera of the neighbourhood compiled by Mr, E. A. Butler and others. N. humator, Goeze. Fntirely black, with the head and thorax shining, and the elytra thickly punctured and duller; club of antennz yellowish-red, thorax slightly narrowed behind, finely and diffusely punctured on disc, thickly and strongly at sides; elytra with three rather distinctly raised lines on each; anterior tarsi strongly dilated in male. L. 18-28 mm. In carcases ; common and generally distributed throughout the kingdom. N. mortuorum, F. (vespilloides, Herbst). Black, with two orange bands on the elytra, the latter of which is reduced to two large kidney- shaped patches: this point and the black club of the antenne will at 44 CLAVICORNIA. [ Mecrophorus. once distinguish it from all our allied species ; thorax without pubescence ; abdomen with dark pubescence except at apex, which is furnished with a tuft of yellowish hairs, posterior tibie straight; anterior tarsi dilated in male; the size is very variable, some specimens being very small. L. 10-15 mm. In carcases, decaying fungi, &c.; rather local in some districts, but, as a rule, common and generally distributed in England and Scotland, and probably in Ireland, : N. vestigator, Hersch. Black, with two orange bands on the elytra ; club of antennz orange-red: thorax considerably dilated in front, with long yellow hairs on all the margins, which are also present to a less extent on the head; the abdomen and femora are also covered with yellow pubescence: it most closely resembles NV. vespillo, but is easily distinguished from that species by the straight posterior tibise, and the emarginate posterior trochanters which terminate in two short spines. L. 16-18 mm. In careases, &c.; not common; London district, Battersea Fields (Stephens), Weybridge; Deal; Dawlish, Devon; Cromer, Norfolk; not recorded from the northern districts of England, or from Scotland; Ireland, near Belfast (Haliday). N. ruspator, Er. (investigator, Zett). Black, elytra with two orange bands, the anterior of which is not interrupted at suture, but is continued in common across their whole breadth; the black band between the two is more regular and less dentate than in the other species ; thorax without pubescence; abdomen with scanty, dark pubescence, except for a yellowish tuft of hair at the apex ; posterior tibiz straight, posterior trochanters emarginate at apex; male with the anterior tarsi strongly dilated, and furnished as in the allied species with yellow brush-like hairs beneath. L. 15-18 mm. In carcases, &c.; local; Shirley, Mickleham, Weybridge, Shipley near Horsham ; Hastings; Devon ; common in the Midlands; Manchester and Liverpool districts ; Northumberland and Durham ; Scotland, common, Solway, Forth, Tay, and probably other districts ; Ireland, near Dublin, Waterford, &c. V. Microcephalus, Thoms. This variety differs from the type in having a very small more or less triangular head; the apex of the pos- terior trochanters, which are recurved in the type form, are straight, and the clypeus is only feebly.emarginate ; the specimens appear to be males : it has occurred at Weybridge and other localities. N. interruptus, Steph. (fossor, Er.). This species is closely allied to the preceding, but may be distinguished by having the anterior band interrupted more or less broadly at suture, and by the distinct yellowish or yellowish-grey pubescence of the abdomen; the club of the antenne is orange-yellow, the thorax is not pubescent, and the posterior tibiz are straight; the posterior trochanters are obscurely emarginate at apex. L. 12-18 mm. Neerophorus. | OLAVIOORNIA. 45 In earcases, &c.; rare; Dulwich; Caterham; Weybridge; Wimbledon; Tilgate - Forest ; Dover; Hastings; New Forest; Phillack, Cornwall; Hunstanton, Norfolk, Norwich. V. gallicus, Duv. This variety has the posterior trochanters hooked, instead of obscurely emarginate at apex, and the clypeus of the male more deeply emarginate. I have only seen one or two British specimens, without locality attached. N. vespillo, L. This species may at once be known from all the other orange-banded species by the strongly curved posterior tibie: the thorax has a yellow fringe of hairs in front, and the abdomen is thickly clothed with yellow pubescence, so that superficially it bears a strong resemblance to NV. vestigator: apart, however, from the shape of the tibiz, it may be easily known from that species by having the thorax much less dilated in front, and by the long pointed posterior trochanters. L. 15-20 mm. In carcases ; not uncommon and generally distributed throughout the greater part of England; rarer further north; Scotland, not common, Solway, Forth, and Moray districts ; Ireland, Dublin, Waterford, Belfast, &c., and probably general. ‘NECRODES, Wilkin (Asbolus, Voet). This genus in shape much resembies Necrophorus, but in several points is more closely related to Silpha, and has by many authors been regarded merely as a sub-genus of this latter genus ; it might perhaps be more correct so to consider it, but external structure certainly ought to have some weight, and the single European species of Necrodes differs so much in this point from all our native species of Silpha that it appears to be the best plan to separate it at all events provisionally ; representa- tives of the genus have also been recorded from India and South America. N. littoralis, L. A large species, somewhat variable in size, black, with the thorax shining, and the elytra somewhat dull; head triangular, strongly contracted behind eyes, which are prominent; antennz black, with the three last joints reddish-yellow, club very gradual (a point that at once separates the genus from Necrophorus) ; thorax rather broader than long, with the sides strongly rounded, disc almost smooth, finely punctured, sides thickiy punctured, with an indistinct central furrow, and more or less obsolete depressions towards base ; scutellum long, pointed behind, thickly punctured ; elytra much widened behind, thickly punctured, with rather strongly raised margins, and three raised lines on each ; third interstice with a strong tubercle behind middle ; in the male the posterior legs are very much enlarged, the femora being very strongly thickened, and the tibie very much curved ; the anterior tarsi are also dilated. L. 13-25 mm. In careases ; somewhat local, but not uncommon, and generally distributed through- out the country. 46 CLAVICORNIA. [Silpha. SILPHA, Linné. This genus in its broadest sense contains a large number of species which are widely distributed over the surface of the globe, but are, as at present known, more characteristic of the northern and temperate zones than of tropical regions ; if we exclude the Necrophorus-like genus Ne- crodes, all our species may be easily known by their broad more or less ovate shape, continuous outline, and small head, which is more or less retracted beneath the thorax when the insect. is at rest; the exotic forms, however, present great degrees of variation, and, in some instances, supply strong connecting links between the various sub-genera. Thomson, Reitter, and others divide the genus Silpha, as it has been usually regarded in our British catalogues, into several separate genera: some of these are more and some less distinct, and therefore, although one or two certainly, perhaps, ought to be entirely divided off, I have thought it best to regard them, as has been done in other instances, as sub-genera: no genus or group has suffered more from the late revival of obsolete names than this ; in Herr Reitter’s monograph, published in 1885, not a single genus of the tribe Silphina goes by the name that it bore in the catalogue of Heyden, Reitter, and Weise, published in 1883, with the exception of Pterolema, which is not represented in our fauna; and, what is worse, although Silpha survives, yet it is applied to Necrophorus ; it is true that some, at all events, of the changes of nomenclature appear to be historically correct, as far as the law of priority goes, but in many instances the descriptions of the old authors of the last century are so meagre, that it is almost impossible to tell what their type really was ; and, at any rate, when the names Silpha and Necrophorus have been in use with their present connotation for upwards of ninety years (v. Fabricius, Syst. El. I. 333 and 336), it certainly seems a “ reductio ad absurdum ” of the present rage for reviving old names, to thus mix them up and confuse them past all recognition ; the same remarks will apply to Necrodes, Oiceoptoma, and Phosphuga, which have been in use for nearly sixty years, and to many other genera in other groups and families, The larvz of several species of Silpha are well known, and in some cases they have proved very injurious to crops; this is especially the case with the larva of Silpha opaca, which at times does very great damage to beet and mangold-wurzel ; the larva, like the generality of the Silpha larve, is shaped much like a wood-louse, and is black and rather shining, with the thoracic segments rounded or obtusely angled at base and the abdominal segments with the posterior angles rather sharp and produced; the last segment bears two sharp spinose cerci; when full-fed these larvee bury themselves three or four inches in the earth and emerge as perfect beetles at the end of two or three weeks (See Curtis, ‘‘ Farm Insects,” p. 391). If it can be proved that the eggs of the beetle are laid originally in putrefying matter, Miss Ormerod’s suggestions (“ Manual of Injurious Insects,” p. 13) that artificial manure should be used where attacks are frequent, or that the ordinary farm-yard manure should be applied in the autumn instead of in the spring, might be productive of very good results ; it appears to me, however, that this is by no means a certain fact, for I have found the larve of a species of Silpha which I believe to be S. opaca or a Ee? AY Silpha. | CLAVICORNIA, 47 closely allied species at the roots of wild plants on the side of cliffs in the Isle of Wight, and if the larva at one period of its existence is a plant-feeder, there is no reason why it should not be so from the time it hatches out of the egg; the insect appears only to attack the leaves, and not to affect the root directly ; if, therefore, the field is left to itself, it may recover after the larve have all assumed the pupa stage, which happens about the beginning of July. The larvae of Silpha rugosa and S. obseura are described and figured by Schiddte I. p- 35, Pl. IX. i. 15; they are very different in shape, the former being much more elongate than the latter, with the angles of the thoracic segments rounded, and those of the abdominal segments strongly produced; the prothoracic segment is not much narrower in front than behind, and the cerci are three times as long as the anal appendage; the larva of S. obscwra is broad in front and narrowed behind, almost shield-shaped, with the prothorax very large, semicircular, with posterior angles blunt ; all the other segments except the tenth are strongly produced at the posterior angles, and become gradually narrower; the tenth is broad aud subquadrate, and beurs a short blunt anal appendage and two short cerci; the head, which in the larva of S. rugosa, is rather large and projecting, is almost concealed behind the thorax, and the antenne are much longer than in this latter species ; their appearance rather tends to prove that the species are, as they are regarded by many authors, generically distinct. I, Thorax truncate or emarginate in front; head not elongate ; mandibles not produced. i. Intermediate cox not widely separated; elytra in both sexes rounded together at apex. 1. Head moderately or slightly contracted behind eyes; labrum moderately emarginate. A. Antenne with club not strongly marked, and with second joint equal to third ; tibize straight ; colour unicolorous black (in our ‘species) «+ ec SELPHA, ‘1. (Para- silpha, Reiter). B. Antenne with club strongly marked, and with’ second joint longer than third; tibie curved, ’ more so in the male than in the female; elytra reddish testaceous, with two black spots on each (in our species). . 2. . «1 «© © y « + DENDROXENA, Mots. (Xylodrepa, Thoms.). 2. ffead short and broad, not narrowed at all behind eyes; labrum emarginate to base ( Oiceoptoma, Leach). A. Anteunz with very gradual club, seventh joint very little narrower than eighth, second joint quite twice aslongasthird . . ACLYPEA, Reitter. B. Antenne with well-marked club, seventh joint much narrower than eighth, second joint about a quarter longer than third . . . BuiropnaGa, Reitter. - Intermediate coxze very widely separated ; 3 "elytra with the sutural angle produced in female; antennze with second joint shorter than third . . . . . THanatopuitus, Leach. (Pseudopelta, Reitter). II. Thorax forming a complete semicircle; head much 23 aes than broad ; mandibles produced. . Antennze very short and stout ; elytra smooth; legs _ stout, with tibiz widened towards apex. . ABLATTARIA, Reiéter. . Antenne sal and ome etc ribbed ; legs sae sta Jes rah cae . « « PuHospnuaa, Leach. (Peltis, Reitter, nec auct.). 48 OLAVICORNIA. | Silpha. (Sub-Gen. Silpha, i. sp. (Parasilpha, Reitter). This sub-genus contains about eight European species, of which three are British ; they are rather large, and are of a unicolorous black colour ; they are chiefly distinguished by the sculpture of the elytra. I, Elytra with three very distinct raised keels on each ; upper surface rather shining; interstices evenly punctured . . §. Tristis, Zl. Il. Elytra with three less distinct raised lines on each, the outer one being the strongest. i. Upper surface rather shining ; interstices of elytra coarsely and unevenly punctured, with slightly raised irregular smooth spaces, which are more or less confluent . . . 8S. Nr@Rita, Creutz. ii. Upper surface very dull ; interstices of elytra evenly and rather strongly punctured. . . 2. . « © » « « «+ SS. oBscuRa, L. S. tristis, Ill. A rather large, oblong, or elliptical species, some- what depressed, black, rather shining; head contracted behind eyes, antenne rather long, with second ana third joints of about equal length, and a rather gradual four-jointed club; thorax transverse, with anterior margin truncate, and posterior margin rather strongly sinuate, impressed at base, more closely punctured at sides than on disc, posterior angles rounded ; jscutellum acuminate, thickly punctured ; elytra subparallel, with three strongly raised smooth keels on each, interstices very closely but evenly, distinctly and rather coarsely punctured; legs moderately stout. L. 13-15 mm. Male with the first four joints of the anterior tarsi dilated and furnished beneath with brush-like hairs, intermediate tarsi feebly dilated. In carcases, moss, &c.; often found on pathways; not uncommon in some districts, but very local; Southend, Sheerness, Chatham, Deal, Dover ; Isle of Wight; Alver- stoke; Swansea; Barmouth; Sutton Park; Repton ; Nottinghamshire; Crosby near Liverpool ; Lancaster; Northumberland district; Carlisle; Scotland, rare, Solway and Forth districts, : S$ nigrita, Creutz. (tyrolensis, var. Laich., alpina, Germ.). In size and shape very like the preceding, but easily distinguished by the sculpture of the elytra, which have the inner two lines very indistinctly raised, and the third only moderately raised, and the interstices coarsely, unevenly and rugosely punctured, the punctures being separated by more or less distinct smooth and somewhat raised spaces, which are confluent. L. 12-14 mm. In careases, &c.; London district, very rare, and apparently not found in the south of England; not uncommon further north in some localities; Smallheath near Bir- mingham; Erdington; Repton; Matlock; Bala, N. Wales; Shropshire; Nottingham- shire; York; Lake district; Northumberland and Cumberland; Scotland, not common, Solway, Tay and Dee districts. S. obscura, L. Of the same size and general shape as the two preceding, but easily distinguished from S. ¢ristis by its much duller ie ee te Silpha. ] CLAVICORNIA. 49 appearance, and the much less distinctly raised lines on elytra, as well as by the somewhat coarser punctuation of the interstices ; “from S. nigrita, it may be known by having the interstices evenly punctured, as well as by its less shining appearance and more even and broader thorax. L. 12-14 mm. In carcases, at roots of grass, &c.; frequently found on pathways; not uncommon in some districts, but local; London district, rather common, Box Hill, Merton, Sheerness, Southend, Chatham, &c. ; Herne Bay; Ramsgate; Deal; Dover; Hastings; Brighton; Glanvilles Wootton ; Bournemouth; Isle of Wight; Devonshire; Notting- hamshire ; Cambridgeshire ; summit of Skiddaw in company with Leistus montanus ; Northumberland district, rare; Dr. Sharp considers the species to be doubtful as Scottish ; Murray records it as ‘‘ not common but generally distributed,” but he must have made a mistake as no other record appears to be known. (Sub-Gen. Dendroxena, Mots. (Xylodrepa, Thoms.) The single European species belonging to this sub-genus is easily distinguished by its colour, and also by its habitat; it is found on trees where it appears to devour the larve of caterpillars ; it is local but not at all uncommon in some localities, S. quadripunctata, L. Oblong-oval, slightly convex, smooth and shining ; head, antenne, and legs black, thorax black with margins broadly reddish testaceous, scutellum black or pitchy, elytra reddish testaceous with two round black spots on each, one at base, and one behind middle ; head narrowed behind eyes; antennze moderate, with second joint longer than third, and with well-marked four-jointed club ; thorax transverse, emarginate in front, posterior angles rounded, disc less thickly punctured than sides, margined ; scutellum large, pointed behind, thickly punctured; elytra with rather broadly raised margins, rugosely punctured, with three indistinctly raised lines ; legs moderately stout, anterior tarsi with the first four joints clothed with yellowish pubescence beneath. L. 12-14 mm. Male with the anterior tarsi somewhat dilated and the posterior tibia strongly curved. On oaks and other trees; not found in carcases; it feeds on Lepidopterous and other Jarve ; not uncommon in the Midland and Southern districts, but rarer further north; Darenth Wood; Coombe Wood; Loughton; New Forest; Plymouth; Llangollen; Sutton Park; Dean Forest; Burton-on-Trent; Sherwood Forest ; Nocton, near Lincoln ; Northumberland district, rare ; Scotland, very rare, Forth, Tay, Moray, and Sutherland districts ; Lrelund, the Dargle, near Dublin. (Sub-Gen. Aclypea, Reitter.) This sub-genus and the next have usually been regarded as one, under the name of Ozceoptoma ; there are, however, considerable differences between them, as regards the formation of the club of the antenne and the relative length of the joints and also in the sculpture of the elytra, VOL, IIL, EB 50 CLAVICORNIA. [ Silpha. Aclypea contains three European species, of which one is found rarely in Britain. S. reticulata, F. (undata, Mill.). Oblong, somewhat depressed, black ; head not narrowed behind eyes, thickly and rugosely punctured, antenne rather short with very gradual club, second joint much longer than third ; thorax transverse, with sides moderately rounded, apical border straight, narrower than basal border, which is sinuate, posterior angles rounded, upper surface very thickly and comparatively finely punctured, depressed obscurely on each side towards posterior angles ; scutellum large, pointed behind, thickly punctured; elytra with sides subparallel, with three raised lines on each, of which the external one is considerably the strongest, interstices coarsely punctured, with irre- gular transverse elevations, but with no marked tubercle behind middle ; legs black. L. 11-13 mm. Male with the first four joints of anterior tarsi dilated. In carcases, &c.; rare; Battersea Fields, London ; Swansea, Crymlyn Burrows ; Cambridge ; Nottinghamshire; Dr. Power has also taken it at a place called “ King’s hedges,” but I do not know the locality. (Sub-Gen. Blitophaga, Reitter.) Three European species are contained in this sub-genus, of which one is found in Britain ; in general appearance it is closely connected with S. dispar and its allies, but may at once be separated by the formation of the head, and the deep emargination of the labrum. S. opaca, L. Oblong-oval, almost quadrangular, somewhat de- pressed, black, clothed with close yellowish or yellowish-red pubescence ; head not contracted behind eyes, antennz moderately long, with club well marked ; thorax transverse, with sides rounded, anterior margin feebly sinuate at sides, posterior margin strongly sinuate, disc with evident depressions, finely and closely punctured ; scutellum pointed, thickly punctured; elytra parallel-sided, rounded at apex, with three distinct raised keels on each, interstices finely punctured, the third with a strong tubercle behind middle; legs moderately stout. L.10 mm. Male with the first four joints of anterior tarsi dilated. In carcases, moss, &c.; local in England; London district, not common, Woking and Coombe Wood, Surrey; Suffolk; Sheerness; Whitstable; Deal; Exmouth ; Devon; Swansea; Knowle; Cannock Chase; Nottinghamshire; Chat Moss; Ripon ; Northumberland district ; Scotland, rather common, Solway, Tweed, Clyde, Forth, Tay, Dee, and Moray districts; Ireland, Portmarnock. (Sub-Gen, Thanatophilus, Leach. (Pseudopelta, Reitter.) This sub-genus contains about eight European species, of which four are found in Britain; the first is easily distinguished from all our other species of Silpha by its red thorax and black elytra ; the other three are dark, obscure-looking insects, ire ey Silpha. | OLAVICORNIA, BL I. Thorax red, elytra black ; length 13-16mm. . . . §. THoracrea, L. II. Thorax concolorous with elytra, dull black, or brownish ; length 8-10 mm. i. Elytra with the interstices furnished with very strongly raised ridges or tubercles, placed transversely . . . . . 8S. RUGOSA, D. ii, Elytra with the interstices smooth. 1. Scutellum finely pubescent, elytra almost without pu- bescence ; base of thorax moderately sinuate . . - « 8S. SInvATA, F. 2. Seutellum very thickly, and elytra thickly, covered with yellowish pubescence ; base of thorax strongly sinuate . . S.pispar,Herbst. S. thoracica, L. A large, broad,:rather depressed, elliptical species with red thorax and velvety-black elytra, head and thorax clothed with yellow pubescence ; head black, contracted behind eyes, antennz short with strongly marked four-jointed club; thorax much broader at base than apex, emarginate in front, basal margin not strongly sinuate, pos- terior angles rounded, upper surface very uneven, thickly and finely punctured at sides, more strongly on disc; scutellum acuminate, some- what concave ; elytra broader behind than thorax, finely punctured, with the suture and the external keel strongly raised, the latter terminating behind in a strong blunt tubercle, and the internal lines feebly raised until near apex, then stronger and continued to apex; legs black, rather stout and spinose ; humeral angle of elytra dentate in both sexes, sutural angle distinctly produced in female, obtuse in male. L. 138-16 mm. In carcases, fungi, &e..; also by sweeping ; not uncommon, and generally distributed throughout England, Wales, and Scotland, and probably in Ireland. I have once tukeu it by sweeping in a wood near Lincoln on a hot day. . S. rugosa, L. An obscure, dark-coloured, species, of an oblong- oval or elliptical shape, with the head and thorax rather thickly clothed with yellowish-grey pubescence ; antennz short, with a strongly marked three-jointed club, the eighth joint also being somewhat dilated ; thorax emarginate in front, basal margin sinuate, sides strongly rounded in front, upper surface thickly and finely punctured, and covered with large and hare, slightly raised, elevations, which are arranged in irregular rows; . posterior angles rounded ; scutellum acuminate, thickly pubescent, except for a bare patch on each side; elytra with sides subparallel, finely punctured, with the suture and three lines raised, and the interstices furnished with raised elevations or tubercles, placed transversely, apex truncate in male, sinuously produced in female ; legs moderately stout. L. 10-11 mm. In careases, &c. ; the commonest meniber of the genus in Britain ; generally dis- pee throughout the kingdom. Ss. sinuata, F. In size and colour, and also in the structure and sculpture of head and thorax, as well as in the pubescence of the same, much resembling the preceding ; it is, however, at once distinguished by the elytra, which are finely punctured, and have the interstices between the ridges plain, and not furnished with transverse raised elevations or tubercles ; in the female the apex is emarginate and very strongly pro- E 2 52 OLAVICORNIA, [Siipha. duced at sutural angle; in the male it is truncate; in some respects this species resembles S. opaca, but the latter species has the head not contracted behind eyes, the thorax more even, the antennal club more gradual, and the elytra more coarsely punctured, and thickly covered with yellowish pubescence, whereas in 8. sinwata they are almost glabrous. L. 10-12 mm. In careases, &c.; not uncommon in the London district and the South, but perhaps commoner in the Midlands; further north it becomes rarer; Northumberland and Durham district, rare; Scotland, rare, Solway and Forth district; Ireland, near Belfast. S. dispar, Herbst. Allied to the preceding, from which it may be dis- tinguished in having the scutellum wholly, and not partially, covered with thick yellowish pubescence, aud the elytra plainly pubescent; the base of the thorax is more strongly sinuate, and the disc of the same is more even ; the sutural angle of the elytra, moreover, is considerably less strongly produced; this species bears a much closer resemblance to S. opaca than S, sinuata does ; it may however be easily known by having the head contracted behind eyes, and also by the shape of the thorax, which has the anterior margin plainly emarginate, whereas in S. opaca it is almost truncate; the sides also are less narrowed in front in the latter species. L. 10 mm. In carcases, &c. ; rare; Norfolk ; Caernarvon ; Charnwood Forest, Leicestershire ; Repton, very rare ; Northumberland and Durham district, rare, Prestwich and South Shields : Scotland, rare, sea coast, and banks of rivers and lakes, under dead fish, Solway, Forth, and Moray districts (Paisley, Loch Leven, &c.); Ireland, neighbour- hood of Armagh, shores of Lough Neagh (Rev. W. F, Johnson), ‘ (Sub-Gen. Ablattaria, Reitter.) This genus was formed by Reitter to include S. levigata and one or two allied species which have been hitherto placed under Phosphuga : it is one of the most distinct of the sub-genera by reason of its short stout antennee, stout legs, and smooth elytra, but can hardly be regarded as a distinct genus; it differs very widely from S. atrata, with which it has for so long been classed by many authors. S. levigata, F. (polita, Sulz.). Oblong oval, convex, deep black, moderately shining; head elongate; antennz rather short and stout, with the first joint elongate, and the club very gradual; thorax semi- circular, thickly and evenly punctured, with posterior angles rounded ; scutellum pointed behind, thickly punctured; elytra closely and rather deeply punctured, without raised lines, with a strong raised margin ; legs stout, tibie dilated and produced into a blunt tooth at apex. L, 11-13 mm. Male with anterior tarsi dilated. In carcases, at roots of grass, crawling on pathways, &c. ; not uncommon especially near the sea and in chalky districts; Lewisham, Gomshall, Box Hill, Sheerness, Stlpha.} CLAVICORNIA, ; 53 Chatham ; Ramsgate ; Herne Bay; Dover; Hastings; Glanvilles Wootton ; Isle of Wight ; Devonshire ; Mawgan, St. Columbs ; Swansea ; Weston-super-Mare ; Cannock Chase ; Repton; Northumberland and Durham district, South Shields, Hartlepool &e. ; not recorded from Scotland, © (Sub.-Gen. Phosphuga, Leach. (Peltis, Reitter nec auct.) This sub-genus contains one variable European species, which has been subdivided by some authors into three or four separate species ; it appears, however, to be best to retain them as varieties; according to Reitter, Geoffroy first applied the name of Peltis (in 1762).to Silpha atrata; he therefore substitutes the name for that of Phosphuga, and revives Laicharting’s name Ostoma for the genus of Trogositidz usually known as Peltis. S. atrata, L. Oval or oblong-oval, moderately convex, shining black ; head elongate, antennz long and slender with the three last joints forming a rather distinct club ; thorax forming an almost complete semi- circle, with dise somewhat raised in middle, and depressed at sides, closely punctured at sides, posterior angles obtusely rounded ; elytra with strong margins, strongly and rugosely punctured, with the suture and three lines distinctly elevated into keels, without tubercle behind middle ; legs slender and elongate. L. 10-11 mm. In carcases, moss, rotten wood, under dead bark, &c.; common and generally dis- tributed throughout England and Scotland; apparently represented mostly in Ireland by the var. subrotundata. V. brunnea, Herbst. Of a reddish-brown colour and rather small ; this variety appears to be chiefly found in high districts. L. 9-10 mm. V. subrotundata, Steph. Larger and more ovate than the type form, with the elytra considerably more rounded at sides, and often of a brownish or reddish-brown colour; the centre of the disc of thorax is more sparingly punctured, and the central raised line is the longest, L. 11-14 mm. This variety has been recorded from Glanvilles Wootton, Devonshire, and South Wales, but appears to be rare in England; in Ireland, however, it is very common in several localities ; Reitter gives Scotland only as a locality, but has probably made a mistake between this country and Ireland ; 1 have not seen a Scottish specimen, and Dr. Sharp does not record it from that country. CHOLEVINA. This family has been divided by Reitter into three groups, Bathyscie, Cholevee, and Colones ; the former of these comprises a large number of genera and species, the majority of which have been comparatively lately described ; the other two comprise three or four genera, one or two of which have been, however, further subdivided by some authors; the anterior coxee are cylindric-conic, prominent, and contiguous ; according to Horn they have no trochanter, but this does not appear to be invariably 54 CLAVICORNIA. | Cholevina. the case; the upper surface is finely pubescent, and the elytra are usually transversely strigose. I. 8th joint of antenne distinctly smaller than 7th and 9th ; abdomen with six free ventral segments. i. Last joint of maxillary palpi as long as the preceding ; tarsi all 5-jointed; antenna variable, filiform or CIAVEGR 55 ee as: ad bine aoe hate nce) ker HO eee ii. Last joint of maxillary palpi short, subulate. 1. Antenne short and stout with gradual club ; tarsi all 5-jointed; eyeslarge . . . « + 4 © « 2. Antenne rather long, thickened gradually to apex, but without club; tarsi 4- 5- 5-jointed; eyes very small . . . . . . . . 7 « . . . . . II. 8th joint of antenne not smaller than 7th and 9th; abdomen with five free segments (sometimes four only in fomale) , 6: sea ie 0M 4 ee es ee See eee CHOLEVA, Laireille. The genus Choleva, or, as it used to be called, Catops, contains more than a hundred species, the majority of which are found in Europe and the adjacent countries ; representatives, however, are known from North and South America (Caraccas, Chili, &c.), and also from Tasmania, and it is probable that the genus is very widely distributed ; they are of a dull black or fuscous, occasionally red-brown colour, and are found chiefly in the earcases of birds or small animals, or in fungi; a few live in ants’ nests; they are exceedingly active in their movements and are in many cases soft and fragile, so that care is required in their preserva- tion, and they should, if possible, be mounted soon after their capture ; they may be distinguished from Colon by the small eighth joint of the antenne, and by their abdomen having six distinct segments instead of five ; in many points, such as length and stoutness of antenne, pubes- cence, size, shape, dilatation of tarsi in male, &c., they differ considerably, and in consequence have been divided into several genera by Thomson and others; one of these, Catops, Payk, is evidently distinct, but it seems better to consider the others as at the most sub-genera ; the species vary considerably in size (from 1 or 14 to 5mm.), and are of an oval or oblong-oval form, with more or less distinct fine pubescence; the elytra are, as a rule, very finely sculptured, and, except in the first sub-genus, the striw, with the exception of the sutural stria, are either entirely wanting or very obsolete. The larva of C. fusca is described and figured by Schiédte, I. p. 36; Pl. x., Fig. 1; it is broad in front and much narrowed behind, pale, with the corneous parts fuscous; the head is small, about one-fourth as broad as the prothorax ; the antenne are longer tlan the head and have the second joint elongate ; the prothorax is large and ample, considerably rounded in front, longer than either meso- or metathorax, but of equal breadth wi.h these segments; the abdominal segments are all considerably narrower than the thoracic segments, and gradually decrease in size; the ninth is much narrower than the eighth, and bears two very long slender cerei ; the anal appendage is cylindrical, longer than the ninth segment; legs long and slender; the dorsal Cators, Payk. Batuyscia, Schiddte. _ ne oh wil eS Se Te Choleva. | OLAVICORNIA. 55 scuta are complete and are covered with minute seta ; the larva bears a considerable resemblance to that of Ziodes. I. Mesosternum simple without carina; elytra without cross striation. i. Intermediate tarsi of male simple; tarsi slender ; antenne long and slender. 1. Species larger (43-5 mm.) and more elongate ; posterior femora twice as long as coxe. . . « Sub.-Gen, CHoLeva, i. sp. 2. Species smaller (13-3 mm.), more or less ovate ; posterior femora one and a half times as long as COxX@ . . » Sub,-Gen, Nareus, Thoms, ii. Intermediate ‘tarsi ‘of male with the first joint dilated; tarsi rather stout; antenne, as a rule, sensibly or strongly thickened towards apex. . . Sub.-Gen. Promapnagus, Hellw. II, Mesosternum carinate; elytra with fine cross striation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . o Sub.-Gen.NEemMapvs, Thoms. (Sub.-Gen. Choleva, i. sp.) The species belonging to this sub-genus are easily distinguished by their elongate form, long legs and slender antenne, and large size, as well as by the more distinct sculpture of the elytra; with regard to the first three or four species there has been considerable difference of opinion among various authors, and the question cannot be considered as yet having been settled finally ; the shape of the thorax in C. angustata and its near allies varies considerably in different specimens, but this part appears never to be widest behind as in C. agilis, whereas C. spadicea is very distinct by reason of its sculpture and the wide margins of the thorax ; I have followed Reitter in considering C. angustata, C. inter- media, and C. cisteloides as separate species, and in regarding C. Sturmii as the male or a variety of C. angustata, but I do not feel at all sure whether it would not be more correct to regard all four species as merely forms of one variable species, as the distinctions are after all very slight, and seem to be more or less variable ; for further particulars as to the group, and in fact as to the whole genus generally, the student is referred to Andrew Murray’s Monograph of the Genus Catops (Annals and Magazine of Natural History, July, 1856). I, Thorax narrower than elytra, broadest at or about middle. i. Thorax feebly punctured with margins not strungly explanate. 1. Pubescence of elytra even without raised hairs at sides and apex; posterior trochanters of male moderately produced. A. Sutural angle of elytra in female produced into a small sharp tooth; pubescence yellow ; posterior femora of male not dilated. . . . C. anausTaTA, F. B. Sutural angle of elytra in female simple ; pubescence of elytra greyish-brown ; gee femora of male dilated « « . . C. cistELorpss, Fréhl. 2. Pubescence of elytra uneven at sides and apex, with rows of raised hairs; posterior trochanters of male long, gouge-shaped . . ee & e . + 6C, INTERMEDIA, Kraatz. 56 CLAVICORNIA. [ Choleva. ii, Thorax strongly punctured, with margins rather broadly explanate. . . . + - + + + + « « GO. SPADIORA, Sturm. II. Thorax as broad as elytra, broadest at base. . . . C. acixis, Zl. Cc. angustata, F. Elongate, dark brown, with the head, and sometimes thorax, dark, antenne long, reddish-testaceous or reddish- brown ; thorax broader than long, rounded at sides, broadest before middle, with posterior angles blunt, finely punctured ; elytra long, finely punctured, with rather distinct stria; in the female the sutural angle is produced into a.small tooth; legs long and slender, ferruginous ; posterior trochanters of male more or less produced into a point, femora with a small tooth on the first third. L. 5mm. In moss, vegetable refuse, &c.; local, and not as common as C. cisteloides, Mr. Champion records it as rare in the London district, but it seems to be generally distributed throughout England from the southern to the northern counties ; it is, perhaps, most common in the Midlands; Mr. Bold records it as less common in the Northumberland district than C. cistelotdes ; Scotland, rare, Forth district ; Ireland, near Belfast and Dublin. C. Sturmit appears to be the male of C. angustata, or a variety of the male; it only differs in one or two very unimportant particulars, such as the somewhat more elongate elytra, and the depth of the im- pressions on the segments of the abdomen; it cannot, however, be in any way regarded as a separate species ; it has been recorded from the London district, Mickleham, &c., by Mr. Champion and Dr, Power, from Hampton-in-Arden by Mr, Blatch, and from Repton by Mr. W. Garneys, C. cisteloides, Frohl. This species may be distinguished from C. angustata by its colour, which is darker, and usually pitchy or pitchy- black ; the thorax is broadest in the middle and evenly rounded from the middle towards apex and base ; the antenne are always more or less darkened towards apex; the posterior trochanters of the male are acumi- nate and produced into a more or less projecting tooth on their inner side, and the posterior femora of the male are rather plainly widened, Lut without a tooth on their first third ; the sutural angles of the elytra are not produced as in C. angustatu. L. 5mm. In moss, dead leaves, vegetable refuse, by sweeping, &e¢, ; rather common and generally distributed throughout England and Wales ; Scotland, local, Forth district ; it is probably common in Ireland. Cc. intermedia, Kraatz. This species appears to derive its name from being intermediate between C. angustata and C. spadicea, being shorter and broader than the former, and not nearly as robust as the latter, from which, moreover, it may be distinguished by the sculp- ture and the form of the margins of thorax; from CO. angustata and C' cisteloides it may be known by the pubescence of the elytra being uneven at sides and apex with rows of raised hairs, and by the long, pointed, gouge-shaped trochanters of the male; it must, however, be Choleva.] CLAVICORNIA. 57 admitted that the first of these characters is not easy to distinguish ; in colour it is more or less fuscous with the elytra and sides of thorax sometimes lighter; it may-also, as a rule, be separated from C. cisteloides by the shape of the thorax, and from both that species and C. angustata it may be known by the shape of the elytra, which have the sides dis- tinctly less parallel and more dilated. L. 5mm, In moss, dead leaves, &c.; rare; Birch Wood, Claygate, Lee, Shirley, Cowley, Highgate ; Dover; Hastings; Wicken Fen; Knowle, near Birmingham; Lan- caster, C. spadicea, Sturm. A rather broad and robust species; head, thorax, and under surface pitchy black, elytra chestnut brown ; in some specimens the thorax also is more or less brown ; head rather long, with prominent eyes, antenne long and slender, reddish-testaceous, darker towards apex; thorax plainly narrower than elytra, broader than long, with the sides rather strongly rounded, upper surface strongly punctured, margins broad and explanate, posterior angles obtuse and rounded ; elytra rounded and dilated at sides, broadest, as a rule, a little behind middle, with rather distinct strie, and the interstices plainly and rugosely punc- tured ; legs ferruginous, posteriér trochanters gouge-shaped. L. 5mm. In dead leaves, fungi, &c.; rare; Highgate (Waterhouse and Power); Bexley, Surrey (Champion), Coombe Wood (Rye), Shirley, near Croydon, and St. Mary Cray (Sharp); Bishop’s Wood, Dulwich; Holm Bush, near Brighton (Power); Repton (W. Garneys) ; Drinkwater Park, Manchester (Reston) ; Lincoln (one specimen taken in Langworth Wood by myself) ; Scotland, rare, Tay district (Rannoch (Sharp)). _ ©. agilis, Il. Shorter, broader, and more convex than C. angustata and its allied species, and easily distinguished by its short thorax, which is broadest at or just before base; colour variable, lighter or darker ferruginous brown ; antenne reddish, usually darker towards apex ; thorax finely punctured, with the lateral margins not raised, about as broad at base as elytra, with posterior angles obtusely rounded ; elytra convex, very feebly striate], closely but rather distinctly punctured ; legs ferruginous, male with the posterior trochanters armed on the inner side with a short curved strong pointed tooth, and the middle tibiz bent strongly inwards, L. 43-8 mm. In dead leaves, moss, haystack refuse, &c.; not uncommon, and rather widely dis- tributed throughout the southern and midland districts ; less common further north ; Scotland, rare, Clyde district and Isle of Arran; Ireland, near Belfast, (Sub.-Gen. Nargus, Thomson.) This sub-genus contains sixteen European species, of which three are British; they are much smaller and more ovate than the members of the preceding sub-genus, but by their slender antennex and in other points they much resemble them; they are easily distinguished from the species belonging to the other sub-genera. I, Posterior angles right angles; upper surface dull ; ize \lirger® 0 ee oe ee ew ele we GQ. VELOX, Spenoe, 58 CLAVICORNIR: [ Choleva. 11. Posterior angles of thorax blunt or rounded ; size smaller. i. Upper surface dull, shagreened or alutaceous be- tween punctures. . . « « « oe + + « « C, WILKINI, Spence, ii. Upper surface shining, smooth between punctures C, ANISOTOMOIDES, Spence, C. velox, Spence. Oval, dull, ferruginous-red, with the head brown, reddish in front, very finely punctured; antenne long and slender, reddish-testaceous, with the penultimate joints often darker; thorax transverse, as broad behind as elytra, with sides rounded and narrowed in front, posterior angles right angles, pointed a little inwards, very finely punctured ; elytra scarcely widened in middle, very thickly and finely punctured, with very indistinct strie ; legs ferruginous, anterior tibize somewhat widened at apex. L. 23-3 mm. In dead leaves, haystack refuse, carcases, &c.; common and generally distributed throughout the greater part of England; Scotland, not uncommon, Tweed, Solway, Forth and Clyde districts; I have seen no record from Ireland, but it is probably common in that country. C. Wilkini, Spence (precox, Er.). Much smaller than the pre- ceding, and of an oblong-oval shape, gradually narrowed behind, and with the elytra considerably narrower in proportion ; colour reddish or brownish ; antenne not as long proportionally as in C. velox; thorax transverse, slightly broader than elytra, very finely punctured, with posterior angles obtuse; elytra rather narrow and almost truncate at extreme apex, with the punctuation fine, but more distinct than on thorax, with obsolete or very feeble striae; legs reddish; anterior tibizs slightly widened towards apex. L. 2-2} mm. In dead leaves, moss, haystack refuse, &c.; not as common as C. velox, but very generally distributed throughout England ; Scotland, not common, Solway and Forth districts ; it has been taken in Darenth Wood in company with Formica fuliginosa. Cc. anisotomoides, Spence. This species is very easily distin- guished from the preceding by its more shining appearance, and short oval form; it is very convex, of a ferruginous brown colour, which is somewhat variable ; antenne rather long and slender; thorax transverse, as broad at base as base of elytra, very thickly punctured, posterior angles obtuse ; elytra oval, convex, with the striw, except the usual sutural stria, quite obsolete, somewhat distinctly punctured, with the spaces between the punctures smooth; legs reddish. L. 13-2 mm. In moss, dead leaves, &c.; not uncommon, but local; London district, generally distributed ; Essex; Hastings; Glanvilles Wootton; Exeter; Bristol; Knowle, near Birmingham ; Stratford-on-Avon; Hunstanton, Norfolk; Northumberland district, not uncommon; Scotland, local, in moss, Tweed and Forth districts, (Sub-Gen. Ptomaphagus, Hellwig.) The species belonging to this sub-genus are characterized by having the first joint of the intermediate tarsi of the male dilated and by the ee See ese Choleva. | CLAVIVORNIA, 59 fact that the antenne are in almost all cases distitictly thickened. towards apex ; the genus Catopomorphus, of which there is no British repre- sentative, forms a connecting link between this and the preceding sub-genus ; the species belonging to this last-named genus are dis- tinguished by the very long last joint of the antenne and by their being always found in ants’-nests. The name Ptomaphagus has been by many authors applied to C. sertceus and C. varicornis, while the name Catops has been retained for the species belonging to the present sub-genus ; as, however, the type species of Catops described by Paykull appears to have been 0. sericeus, it appears more correct to confine the name of Catops to the species with truncate elytra. The species belonging to the sub-genus Ptomaphagus are, in many cases, extremely hard to determine with certainty ; this is more espe- cially the case with C. tristis and its allies, which appear as a rule to be mixed in collections ; the differences in one or two cases are so slight, that it is doubtful whether all the species can really be considered as distinct ; in fact Murray. regards C. longula, C. grandicollis, and C. rotundicollis (= Kirby), and the two continental species C. abdominalis and C. montivaga as all varieties of C. tristis, © I. Thorax more or less distinctly narrowed before base. i. Pubescence greyish or yellowish; antenne rather long, slender, or more or less distinctly thickened towards apex, 1. Thorax with sides rounded completely to base, not sinuate before posterior angles. A. Antenne long and slender, only slightly thickened towards apex, with sixth joint al- ways longer than broad in male, sometimes as Jong as broad in female; size larger (4— 5 mm a; Colour fuscous-brown ; posterior angles of thorax scarcely projecting Sac . C. Fuso, Panz. b. Colour black ; posterior angles of thorax distinctly projecting ~~ C, NIGRICANS, Spence. B. Antenne moderate, distinctly, but not strongly thickened, with sixth joint about as long as broad in male, sometimes transverse in female. a. Antenne with joints 6-8 of Senn equal length, feebly transverse . . « C. Lonauta, Kell. b. Antenne with eighth joint half as long as sixth, strongly transverse. a*, Last joint of antenne as broad as penul- timate; thorax not quite as broad as elytra. af. Elytra shorter ; antenne ferruginous with darker club. . . ©. coracina, Kell, bt Elytra longer ; antenna dark with first two and last joints reddish yellow . . C. Morio, F. b*, Last joint of antenne narrower than penultimate ; thorax arc fully as broad aselytra . . + «ae -e « C, @RANDICOLLIS, Er. 60 OLAVICORNIA. | [ Choleva. 2, Thorax slightly sinuate before the posterior angles which are usually projecting. A. Sixth joint of antenne always longer than broad in male, sometimes as long as broad in female; apical joint of antenue usually (but not always) lighter than the rest of the club . C. nigRiTA, Er, B. Sixth joint of antennz always as long as broad in male, sometimes transverse in female; club of antenn usually unicolorous. a. Thorax less narrowed behind, with sculpture BGG ia 6, ase da BREA he bees pees LOT eames b, Thorax more narrowed behind, with sculp- ture stronger ye me ie! i, 018! 0. 20. \ Wie Se ely SRO, ii. Pubescence blackish or grizzly ; antenne short, strongly thickened ; size rather large (4-44 mm.) . C, CHRYSOMELOIDES, Panz. II. Thorax not narrowed before base, almost semicir- cular ; antenna short and plainly thickened. i, Club of antenne narrow; thorax fully as broad as elytra, with somewhat projecting posterior angles. OC, FuMATA, Spence, ii. Club of antennz broader; thorax hardly as broad as elytra with posterior angles right angles . . . C. WarTsont, Spence. ©. fusca, Panz. Rather a large and broad species, oval, convex, of a dark brown fuscous colour, with the head and the thorax, except margins, darker or even black ; the colour, however, is somewhat variable ; head and thorax very closely punctured, with yellowish pubescence ; antennz long, feebly thickened towards apex, ferruginous; thorax broadest behind middle, much broader thari long at base, posterior angles right angles, slightly projecting; elytra convex, rather broad, widened in middle, considerably narrowed to apex, very obsoletely striated, thickly punctured ; legs reddish. L. 4-45 mm. In dead leaves, garden and haystack refuse, carcases, &c.; generally distributed throughout England but never abundant; Scotland, in outhouses, not common, Tweed, Solway, Forth, and Clyde districts; Ireland, Portmarnock, &c.; Mr. Bold says that nearly all his specimens from the Northumberland district were found in cellars, C. nigricans, Spence. (caliginosus, Steph., flavicornis, Thoms. (?) soror, Newm.). Very like the preceding in size and general appearance, but easily distinguished by its darker colour and by the antenne being almost always dark with the base reddish, as well as by the more evi- dently projecting posterior angles of the thorax ; thorax with the greatest width in the middle, very thickly and finely punctured, almost always with two or three more or less obsolete depressions on disc ; elytra oval, convex, thickly and finely punctured, with the strie a little more evident than in CO. fusca ; legs reddish-brown, femora blackish. L. 4- 4+ mm, In dead leaves, moss, haystack refuse, &c.; generally distributed throughout England, but never very common; Mr. Bold is inclined to refer his Northumberland specimens to Thomson’s C. flavicornis, but they probably belong to the variety of C. nigricans with unicolorous reddish antennz, which sometimes oceurs ; Scotland, not common, Solway and Forth districts. Choleva.| | CLAVICORNTA. 61 C. longipennis, Chaud., appears to be a variety of this species; it has the elytra more convex and dilated and the stric of the elytra more feebly marked; Erichson’s ©. fuliginosus is also referred by many authorities to C. nigricans, but there seems to be some doubt regarding the matter. Cc. longula, Kell. (pilicornis, Thoms.). Elongate, black, oval ; antenne as Jong as head and thorax, rather robust with the basal joints and the terminal joint, at least at apex, reddish testaceous, joints 6-8 of nearly equal length; thorax thickly punctured, clothed with yellowish-grey pubescence, with sides rounded, and narrowed in front and behind, posterior angles right angles; elytra long, indistinctly striated, finely pubescent, appearing, like many of the allied species, to be covered with a kind of bluish bloom; legs blackish-brown or ferru- ginous, tarsi lighter. L., 4-44 mm. Under moss, in fungi, dead birds, &c.; rare; Manchester district; Ripon (Water- house) ; Manchester district; Hartlepool; Wallington, Northumberland; Scotland, rare, Forth and Solway districts; Ireland near Waterford (Power). Murray regards this species as a variety of C. tristis ; it differs, how- ever, considerably in shape, and in having the elub of the antenne less distinct; it appears to be identical with C. pilicornis, Thoms. GC. coracina, Kell. A rather small, black species, which may be distinguished from all the succeeding species except C. morio, by having the last joint of the antennz as broad as the penultimate, and from the latter species by its smaller size, shorter elytra, and unicolorous club of the antenne ; head and thorax thickly and finely punctured, with fine short yellowish pubescence, the latter almost as broad as elytra, broadest in middle, with the posterior angles right angles, not projecting, and appearing at first sight obtuse; elytra short oval, without yellow pubescence at base of elytra, but with the usual ashen-grey or bluish bloom, thickly punctured, indistinctly striated ; legs pitchy-red. L. 3-3} mm. The male has a small prominence on the under side of the anterior femora. - In dead animals, &c.; rare in England; Shirley near Croydon; Esher; Bewdley; Coleshill ; Knowle ; Needwood near Burton-on-Trent ; Ripon (Waterhouse) ; ; North- umberland district, ‘*near Wooler, very rare ;” Scotland, not uncommon, , Solway, Forth, Dee, Moray, and Shetland districts, Cc. morio, F'. This species may be recognized by its rather long oblong-oval shape, obtuse posterior angles of thorax, and the colour of the antennz, which, as a rule, have the first two joints ferruginous, and the rest, with the exception of the last, blackish ; the last jomt is yellow ; rarely however the whole antenne are ferruginous, and this fact, as in other species, sometimes gives rise to confusion; the general colour is black with yellowish grey pubescence on the thorax, and an ashy-grey bloom on the elytra; head and thorax thickly and finely punctured, the 62 OLAVICORNIA, [ Choleva. latter rather depressed with sides gently rounded; elytra rather long, more distinctly sculptured than thorax, with scarcely a trace of striz, with the sides subparallel, evenly and slightly rounded ; legs ferruginous red, with the femora, or at all events the posterior ones darker. L. 33-3? mm. In haystack refuse, dead birds, fungi, &c. ; not common although somewhat widely distributed ; London district, rather rare, Sheerness, Chatham, Lee, Shirley, Caterham, Barnes, Coombe Wood, Ashstead; Bewdley; Coleshill; Sutton Park; Alcester ; Sherwood ; Repton; Liverpool and Manchester district; Northumberland district, rare, in moss, in shady woods, Wallington (Power); Scotland, rare, Solway, Tweed, and Clyde districts; Ireland, Portmarnock, &c. C. grandicollis, Er. This species bears some resemblance to C. tristis, and by one or two authors has been considered to be a variety of that species ; it is however easily distinguished by its broader and more ovate form, and especially by its large and ample thorax, which is fully as broad as elytra, or even broader in the middle than the elytra at base ; the colour is blackish or blackish-brown ; head and thorax thickly punctured, covered with distinct yellowish pubescence ; antenne mode- rately long, gradually thickened, reddish, darker towards apex; thorax very transverse, with sides strongly rounded, posterior angles obtuse ; elytra ovate, broad, convex, thickly sculptured, with a purplish-grey bloom, and yellowish pubescence along the base, which is not very distinct in many cases ; legs ferruginous with femora, at all events the posterior ones, darker, L. 33-4 mm. In carcases, haystack refuse, vegetable and flood rubbish, &¢.; local, but rather widely distributed throughout England and the greater part of Scotland; Ireland, near Waterford, and probably generally distributed. Cc. nigrita, Er. (ajinis, Steph.). Oblong-oval, black; antennz with joints 1-6 ferruginous, and the rest brown, except the last, which is yellowish-red, but sometimes, especially in dried specimens, appears to be unicolorous with the penultimate joints ; thorax hardly half as broad again as long, slightly variable, but as a rule broadest in middle, with posterior angles either slightly pointed, or right angles, or even somewhat obtuse,* clothed with yellowish pubescence ; elytra finely punctured, with yellowish pubescence at base, and a purplish bloom on the rest of their surface; legs ferruginous, posterior femora sometimes darker. L. 33-4 mm. In moss, fungi, carcases, &c.; occasionally by sweeping ; not uncommon and widely distributed throughout England ; recorded by Bold as not uncommon in the North- umberland district beneath dead birds, &c.; it is however scarce in Scotland, and has been found in the Forth district only ; it is probably not uncommon in Ireland. This species is very closely allied to C. éristis, but has the antenne _ * This point is discussed by Murray, Monograph of the genus Catops, page 35, note; it is the variability in points that are regarded as distinguishing characters that causes the confusion in this group of the genus, Choleva. | CLAVICORNIA. 63 longer and thinner and the club not well defined, whereas in this latter species the club is short, thick and well marked. C. tristis, Panz. Very closely resembling the preceding in size and form and apparently often mixed with it in collections; black or brown- ish ; antenne shorter and with more abrupt club than in C. nigrita, with the first five or six joints reddish, and the apical joints more or less fuscous, the last often reddish ; thorax not as: broad as in the preceding species, especially behind, and more transverse, broadest in or a little before middle, posterior angles sharp right-angles; elytra thickly punc- tured, with very feeble traces of strie, and with the usual purplish bloom, and a yellowish pubescence at base ; in all cases this pubescence must be observed in fresh specimens ; legs ferruginous or reddish-brown, femora darker, and tarsi, as in many other species, often lighter. L. 33-4 mm. In moss, haystack refuse, decaying vegetable matter, carcases, &c.; often by sweep- ing; generally distributed and common throughout the kingdom. C. Kirbyi, Spence (rotundicollis, Kell.). This species is given by Murray (1. c. p. 43) as a variety of C. tristis, but he says that it is not without hesitation that he removes it from the list of distinct species, and he adds, ‘‘ The characters, however, which distinguish it being all variations in degree, and at times approaching more or less to the type of tristis, I have come to look upon it as a variety of that species. _ It is well known that carcass-feeding beetles are always more subject to variation than others, owing to the chance of the food of the larve becoming exhausted before they are full fed. This species may be a starved variety.” These remarks are well worthy of note in considering allied species of Necrophaga, whether we hold Murray’s view regarding this particular species or not, as a diminution of food must affect the size, and also the development of the chitin, which might cause some altera- tion in the shape of thorax, &c.; C. Kirbyi is smaller than C. tristis, and has the sides of the thorax much more strongly inflexed before base and so more rounded and dilated in front; the sculpture of the thorax is also more strongly marked, a character which seems to preclude its being considered a starved variety ; the antennx are not so much thickened, and the elytra are shorter and more ovate. L. 3-3} mm. In decaying animal and vegetable matter; local, but not uncommon; London dis- trict, occasionally in profusion and apparently generally distributed throughout Exgland ; Scotland, local, Solway, Forth, and Dee districts; it is probably widely distributed in Ireland. Cc. chrysomeloides, Panz. This species may very easily be dis- tinguished by its large size taken in conjunction with its short stout antenne ; the pubescence also is blackish or of a grizzly grey colour, and is rather thick and distinct ; form ovate, convex, colour deep brown or black ; antenne shorter than head and thorax with a strong and abrupt 64 CLAVICORNIA. [ Choleva. black or dark brown club, basal joints red ; thorax very transverse, with the sides plainly rounded, narrowed in front and behind, posterior angles sharp right angles, somewhat projecting; elytra finely and thickly punctured, with indistinct stri#, and with an ashy-grey bloom; legs ferruginous, femora often darker. L. 4-43 mm. In dead birds and animals, decaying fungi, &c. ; generally distributed throughout the greater part of England, and occasionally taken in numbers, but rarer in the north than in the south and midland districts ; Northumberland district not common (Bold); Scotland, not common, Solway, Tweed, Forth, Dee and Moray districts. C. fumata, Spence (scitulus, Er.). Oblong oval, of a deep pitchy- brown colour, sometimes almost black; antenne short and thick, but with the club not broad, usually unicolorous reddish, and joints 4-5 hardly transverse ; thorax almost semicircular, forming a continuous or almost continuous line with elytra, not narrowed at base, very transverse, thickly and finely punctured, with distinct greyish pubescence, posterior angles sharp and somewhat projecting ; elytra oval, thickly punctured, without trace of strie ; legs ferruginous. L. 3 mm. In dead birds and animals, haystack refuse, &c.; rather common and generally distributed throughout the country. I once took it in great profusion by shaking a hedgehog hung up by a keeper in Seal Wood, near Burton-on-Trent ; it is common in Scotland, but Bold records only one specimen from the Northumberland district ; he has probably confused this and the next species. C. Watsoni, Spence (agilis, F., fumatus, Er., nec Spence). Very like the preceding, and rather hard to distinguish from it ; in fact, it has by many authors been regarded as only a variety; the club of the antenne, however, is broader, with joints 4-6 transverse, and is, usually, of a darker colour, and the posterior angles of the thorax are right angles, and are not, or scarcely, projecting ; the differences, however, as a matter of fact are very slight, and it would perhaps be the best course to unite the two species, which are very distinct from,any that we possess ; they most closely resemble ©. sericeus, at first sight, but are, of course, easily distinguished by the elytra not being truncate at apex. L. 3 mm. In dead animals, &c.; often by sweeping ; not uncommon and generally distributed throughout the greater part of England. Bold records it as very abundant in moss, dead leaves, &c., in the Northumberland district. Scotland, not common, Solway, Forth, and Dee districts. Bold’s record, as above mentioned, may be in error. (Sub-Gen. Nemadus, Thomson.) This sub-genus only contains one very rare British species, which is distinguished from all the preceding species by having the mesosternum earinate and the elytra finely but distinctly cross-striated, and from Catops, which it resembles in these particulars, by the fine mesosternal carina, the dilatation of the first joint of the intermediate tarsi of the male, and the fact that the apex of the elytra is rounded and not truncate. Choleva.] CLAVICORNIA. 65 ©. colonoides, Kraatz. Oblong ovate, head and thorax blackish- brown, elytra dark-brown, lighter towards apex, clothed with distinct silky pubescence ; antennz about as long as head and thorax, gradually and very slightly thickened towards apex (a point that will at once dis- tinguish it from any species of Colon, some of which it much resembles) ; thorax about a fourth broader than long, with sides moderately rounded, extremely thickly and finely granulated, posterior angles sharp, projecting backwards ; elytra gradually narrowed to apex, finely strigose trans- versely, not truncate ; legs ferruginous-brown ; under-side blackish-brown, with the margins of each segment lighter. L. 12 5-12 mm. Very rare ; first taken by Dr. Power, at the end of March, 1861, at the Holt Forest, Hampshire, from the débris of fern, in an old hovel ; it has also been taken by Mr. Champion at Ashtead, Surrey, in “rotten wood mould of decaying oaks,” and by Mr. Waterhouse. near Ripon ; it has occurred, too, in the New Forest ; according to Kraatz it is taken near Berlin, in loose sand at the foot of old oak-trees, and is frequent on moors : Reitter says that it occurs in north and Mid-Europe in nests of Formica eunicularia, CATOPS, Paykull. This genus contains six European species, of which two are found in Britain ; one of these is common, the other is extremely rare ; they are distinguished from the members of the genus Choleva by their truncate elytra and the very short and subulate last joint of the maxillary palpi; as mentioned above, Paykull’s type on which he described the genus Catops appears to have been C. sericeus, and it is perhaps better therefore to adopt this name, although many authors have included the species under the genus Ptomaphagus. I. Antenne less thickened, club entirely black ; first joint of posterior tarsi as long as the next two together . . C.SERICEUS, F. II. Antenne shorter and thicker, club reddish- yellow at apex ; first joint of posterior tarsi as long as. the next three together Steak a eal Malden se) nek alle, et = a7: eh 1 a Balet CARIOORN 1S. AROMeR A, Cc. sericeus, I. (érwncatus, Gyll.). Oblong-oval, of a dark pitchy- black or blackish-brown colour, clothed with very distinct silky pubescence ; head large, antenne short and stout, dark with reddish base, plainly thickened ; thorax a little broader than long, fully as broad at base as elytra, and often more darkly coloured, finely wrinkled transversely, posterior angles pointed, projecting backwards ; elytra gradually becoming narrower from base to apex, with apex broadly truncate, more or less distinctly strigose transversely ; legs dark ferruginous-brown, femora often darker ; size very variable. L. 2-3 mm. In moss, decaying seaweed, haystack and vegetable refuse, small carcases, &e. 5 common, and generally distributed throughout the kingdom. ©. varicornis, Rosenh. Closely allied to the preceding, but easily distinguished by the antennz, which are shorter and thicker, and are ferruginous at apex as well as base, and hy the long first joint of the VOL, Ill. F 66 CLAVICORNIA. [ Catops. posterior tarsi which equals in length the three following taken together ; the elytra also are more rounded and are not so strongly truncate ; the average size also is somewhat larger. L. 23-3} mm. In moss, leaves at the foot of trees, flood refuse, &e.; very rare ; Richmond (Guyon) ; Folkestone (Power); it has also been recorded from Staffordshire and from Sherwood Forest. COLON, Herbst. The species belonging to this genus very closely resemble some of the small species of Choleva, but may at once be distinguished by not having the eighth joint of the antennz smaller than the seventh ; the antenne are short and are terminated by a distinct 5-jointed club, and the tarsi are all 5-jointed ; according to the Munich catalogue there are twenty-nine species, but the number has been somewhat modified since the date of its publication ; they are chiefly confined to Europe, but representatives have been recorded from Northern Asia and Alaska; in all probability the species are much more numerous than they are supposed to be, but they are, as a rule, extremely rare, and very difficult to determine, as they are exceedingly alike, and their specific distinction often rests with the male ; owing to their rarity very little is known about their habits; they are usually taken by evening sweeping in early summer, and from one or two captures that have been made it is quite possible that they might be found in larger numbers on open and seemingly barren spots on the sides of hills, &c., where the collector would not, as a rule, think of searching for them. The following table of the species is more or less a provisional one, as many of them require very careful study and comparison with other species before they can be determined with any accuracy. This genus may be divided into two sub-genera as follows :— I. Anterior tarsi simple in both sexes . . . « CoLon, i. sp. If. Anterior tarsi moderately dilated in female, more strongly dilated in male.. .. . . . . . . . +. °. Myta@cuts, Lafr. (Sub-Gen. Colon, i. sp.). I. Form longer oval : thorax searcely broader at base than elytra; elytra with rather distinct traces of striae ; pos- terior femora of male without tooth . . . . . . . CO. VIENNENSE, Herbst. II. Form shorter oval; thorax ample, plainly broader at base than elytra; elytra with only slight traces of strie. i, Thorax less strongly punctured ; eighth joint of an- tenns considerably smaller than ninth ; posterior femora of male with a very small tooth . . . . . C.SERRIPES, Sahib. ii. Thorax more strongly punctured; eighth joint of antenne only slightly smaller than ninth; posterior femora of male with a strong sharp tooth . . . . CO, PUNcTICOLLE, Kr. Cc. viennense, Herbst. Oblong, rather long and narrow, of a brownish or reddish-brown colour, with rather close yellowish pubescence ; antenne reddish-brown, with club usually darker ; thorax almost as long Colon.] CLAVICORNIA. 67 as broad, very closely, but distinetly punctured, posterior angles obtusely rounded ; elytra about as broad at base as thorax, very closely and not very finely punctured, with distinct traces of fine striz in front; legs reddish-brown. L. 23-3 mm. Male with the posterior tibie somewhat curved, and the posterior femora without tooth before apex, but somewhat widened and terminating in a sharp angle at apex. By evening sweeping in early summer; rare ; Lee, Chatham, Darenth Wood, Birch Wood, Peckham, Caterham (Champion, Walker, and Power); Chobham and Bromley (Saunders); New Forest ; Iifracombe (Saunders) ; Scotland, very rare, Solway district, banks of Nith in flood refuse, C. serripes, Sahlb. (2 fusculum, Er., g simplex, Thoms.). Oval, convex, fuscous, a little shining, clothed with yellowish pubescence, very closely punctured; antenne reddish-brown, with club darker ; thorax shorter, broader, and more ample than in the preceding species, broader at base than elytra, with the posterior angles obtuse or rounded; elytra very finely and closely punctured, with traces of strie usually visible in front ; legs ferruginous. L. 13-2 mm. Male with the posterior femora furnished behind middle with a very small and sometimes obsolete tooth ; they appear also to be often very finely crenulated on their under-side. By evening sweeping ; rare; Maidstone (Gorham) ; Lee (Kent); Hammersmith Marshes (Sharp) ; The Holt, Farnham (Power); Wicken Fen; Scotland, rare; Solway and Clyde districts, banks of Nith in flood refuse, &c. C. puncticolle, Kr. ( 2 dentipes, Er., nec Sahlb.). This species is exceedingly closely allied to the preceding, and is considered by some authors as merely a variety ; it appears, however, to be quite distinct by reason of its more coarsely punctured thorax, and by the larger size of the eighth joint of the antenne, as well as by the fact that the posterior femora of the male are armed with a rather strong sharp tooth ; it is also a little larger than C. serripes. L. 12-25 mm. Very rare ; I only know ef three specimens which are in Dr. Sharp’s collection, one without locality, and two others frem Eccles, Thornhill, near Dumfries, which are somewhat doubtfully referred to this species. (Sub-Gen. Myloechus, Latrcille.) I. Thorax longer, a little less long than broad. i, Anterior tibiz of male straight; posterior femora with a more or less distinct small sharp tooih before apex. 1.. Thorax considerably more strongly punctured than elytra, only slightly areoRet infront . C. ANGULARE, Zi, 2. Thorax only a little more strongly punctured than elytra, strongly narrowed infront .-. CG. micrors, Czwal. ii. Anterior tibize of male curved ; posterior femora BUWDIGe yn) 4) Pie ait ele) en tele, ee ent calle ie II. Thorax shorter, distinctly broader than long. i. Size smaller ; form more elongate ; anterior tibix KF 2 C, RUFESCENS, Kr. 68 OLAVICORNIA. [ Colon. of male straight; thorax not or scarcely broader than elytra. 1. Thorax evidently more strongly punctured than elytra. A, Anterior margin of clypeus straight in male; posterior femora of male with a very long slender curved tooth before apex . . . . C, DentipEs, Sahlb., v. Zebei, Kr., v. Barnevillei, Kr. B. Auterior margin of clypeus with a slight emargination in male; posterior femora of male with a small tooth before apex . . . C, BRUNNEUM, Lafr. 2. Thorax not more strongly punctured than elytra. A. Posterior femora of male with a long straight spinose tooth before apex, termi~ nating in a tuft of hairs. a. Size larger; colour darker ; elytra with traces of strie. . pens APPENDICULATUM, Sahlb, b. Size smaller ; colour lighter ; : ‘ytra without traces of strie . . . . C. cALCARATUM, Er, B. Posterior femora of male with a very ‘small tooth before apex; Sree with traces of strie . . . O. DENTICULATUM, Kr. ii. Size larger ; form broader ; : “anterior. tibiee of male curved; thorax evidently broader than elytra ; posterior femora simple in both sexes. . CO. LATUM, Kr, Cc. angulare, Er. Oblong-oval, somewhat narrowed behind, blackish-brown or dark-brown, with yellowish pubescence ; antenne fer ruginous, lighter at base and apex, club with the apex obtusely pointed ; thorax about as broad at base as elytra, almost as long as broad, with the posterior angles right angles or somewhat acute, very closely and somc- what deeply punctured ; elytra distinctly aud somewhat rugosely punc= tured ; legs ferruginous, L. 2-2} mm. Male with the posterior femora furnished with a very small sharp tooth in the middle, apical angle pointed and slightly projecting. By evening sweeping; it has also once been found on a wall; very rare; Forest Hill (Marsh) ; Caterham, Peckham, Mickleham (Sharp and others); Stretford, near Manchester (Reston) ; Scotland, very rare, Solway and Tay districts, banks of Nith in flood refuse (Sharp), and Braemar. Small examples of this species appear to be the C. rectangulum, Chaud. Cc. microps, Czwal. This species differs from the preceding in having the thorax less strongly punctured, and strongly narrowed from posterior third to apex ; the thorax, also, is narrower at base, being hardly as broad as the elytra. L. 2} mm. The sole locality for this species, which was described by Czwalina in 1881, is given as Enyland, aud Reitter treats it as a good species, resting on a female in "Kraatz’ s collection trum England ; the male appears to be unknown. Cc. rufescens, Kraatz. Rather long-oval, of a reddish or brownish- red colour, with the antenna and legs lighter ; thorax as broad as elytra, Ae a ea nd Colon. | CLAVICORNIA. 69 and much more strongly punctured, nearly as long as broad, with posterior angles almost right angles ; elytra finely but distinctly punctured. L. 2 mm. Male with the anterior tibia curved and the posterior femora simple ; concerning the latter point, however, there seems to be some doubt, as some authors say that the posterior femora are furnished with a small straight tooth before apex. By evening sweeping; very rare; Caterham (Champion, two specimens); in Dr, Sharp’s collection there is a male without locality from Crotch. Cc. dentipes, Sahlb. ( ¢ spinipes, Hal.). Oblong-oval, moderately convex, brown, with silky, greyish-yellow pubescence ; antenne short and stout, reddish-brown ; thorax as broad as elytra, much broader than long, about twice as strongly punctured as elytra, not strongly contracted in front, with the posterior angles obtuse ; elytra rather finely and closely punctured, without trace of dorsal strie ; legs reddish. L. 2-25 mm. Male with the posterior femora armed behind middle with a very long thin spinose tooth which is a little curved. By evening sweeping, during early summer; very rare; Darenth Wood and Caterham (Champion); Esher (Power); Ilfracombe (Saunders); Ripon (Waterhouse) ; Bewdley, Knowle, and Church Stretton (Blatch); Northumberland district, a fine - male, by sweeping low herbage in a wood on the Irthing; Scotland, Balmuto, Fifeshire (Power) ; Ireland, near Dublin (Power). V. Zebei, Kr. This variety differs from the type form in being on an average larger, and in having the thorax more strongly punctured ; it is by many authors considered a separate species. L. 2-3 mm. By evening sweeping, during early summer; very rare; Chatham (Walker); Mickleham and Caterham (Champion); Birch Wood and Claygate Lane, Esher (Power); Tonbridge Wells (Saunders) ; Ilfracombe (Saunders); Scotland, Balmuto, Fifeshire (Power). V. Barnevillei. This variety appears to be punctured about as strongly as the type form, but to have the punctuation somewhat rugose ; it is described as “much resembling C. Zebet,” but smaller, with the antennz always entirely testaceous, the thorax darker than the elytra, which are more strongly punctured, and the shorter and less regularly curved hind femoral spine of male; these characters, however, are somewhat variable, and Mr. Rye (Ent. Mo. Mag. xii. 177) comes to the conclusion that the British examples taken by Mr. Waterhouse at Studley, near Ripon, and by Mr. Champion, at Caterham (and returned to him by M. Tournier as C. Barnevillei) are only undeveloped specimens of C. Zebei. Cc. brunneum, Latr. Short-oval, rather convex, lighter or darker brown, with yellowish, somewhat golden, pubescence ; antenne ferru- ginous or ferruginous-red with the club, exeept the last joint, darker ; thorax about one and a quarter times as broad as long, narrowed in front, and very slightly, sometimes almost imperceptibly, contracted before base, with posterior angles nearly right angles or slightly obtuse, rather finely and closely punctured; elytra a little narrowed towards 70 CLAVICORNIA. [ Colon. apex, more finely punctured than thorax, without traces of dorsal striz, but appearing in certain lights somewhat transversely wrinkled ; legs brownish-red, L. 13-2} mm. Male with the anterior margin of the clypeus slightly emarginate in middle, and the posterior femora furnished behind middle with a small tooth. By sweeping in the evening, and occasionally by beating ; very widely distributed and sometimes not uncommon; London district generally distributed; Esher, Shirley, Forest Hill, Caterham, Ashtead, Dorking, Sevenoaks, Darenth, Chatham, &c.; Herne Bay ; Wrabness, Essex; Glanvilles Wootton; Knowle; Portishead; North Wales; Repton; Northumberland district; Scotland, not rare, Solway, Tweed, Forth, Moray, and Clyde districts ; Ireland, Co. Wicklow. This species seems to be very variable in size and colour, and many mistakes have been made in consequence ; it is by far the commonest species of the genus. CG. appendiculatum, Sahlb. Oblong-ovate, slightly convex, fus- cous, clothed with fine silky greyish-yellow pubescence; antennz ferruginous with a rather strong club, which is darker except at apex ; thorax transverse, not broader than elytra, very closely and finely punctured, with the posterior angles nearly right angles; elytra a little narrowed towards apex, very thickly and finely punctured, with traces of fine strise towards base; legs ferruginous. L 2-3 mm. Male with the posterior tibiz eurved, and the posterior femora armed with a long spinose tooth, furnished at apex with a tuft of hairs. ’ ; By evening sweeping; very rare; Reigate (Brewer); Birch Wood (Power) ; Scotland, very rare, Solway district, Lanks of Nith (Sharp). C. calcaratum, Er. (9 pygmaeum, Er.). This species is allied to the preceding, but may be distinguished by its smaller size and lighter colour, and also by the fact that the elytra present no traces of dorsal strie ; in the male the posterior margin of the thorax is not emarginate near the posterior angles, whereas in the preceding species there is a slight emargination ; the posterior femora of the male are armed with a long spinose tooth as in the allied species. L. 13-2 mm. Very little appears to be known regarding this species as British ; it was, I believe, taken by Haliday, and there is a doubtful speeimen in Dr. Sharp’s collection from Eccles, Thornhill, near Dumfries. Cc. denticulatum, Kr. This species is closely allied to the two preceding species, and appears to be intermediate between them as regards size; the colour is usually dark brown; the distinguishing character is found in the male, in which sex the posterior femora are furnished with a small pointed straight tooth, instead of with a long spinose tooth as in the other two species. L. 13-2} mm. -By evening sweeping ; very rare; Hythe (Rye); Darenth Wood (Power) ; Scotland, Tweed district, Cheviots (Sharp). n — eS ee re ee —e ee Colon.) CLAVICORNIA. 71 Cc. latum, Kr. One of the most distinct species of the genus, and easily known by its short and broad oval form, and very large ample thorax, which is plainly broader than the elytra, and has the sides dilated behind middle, and the posterior angles somewhat prominent ; colour fuscous or fuscous-brown; punctuation fine and even; elytra narrowed behind with very fine transverse striz; legs ferruginous, tibize dilated towards apex and denticulate externally ; posterior femora simple in both sexes, L. 23-3 mm, By evening sweeping; very rare; Shirley near Croydon (Janson) ; Shiere, near Guildford (Capron); The Holt, Farnham (Power); Bishops Wood (Sharp); Green- lithe (Waterhouse); Eastham, near Liverpool (Ellis) ; Scotland, very rare, Clyde district (Sharp). BATHYSCIA, Schiddte (Adelops, auct.). Our single species of Bathyscia is the sole British representative of a group which is one of considerable extent, both as regards species and genera ; the members of the group are to a great extent cave-frequenting insects, and have the eyes either rudimentary or entirely wanting, as is the case with so many other of the vertebrates and invertebrates that inhabit like localities; it is quite possible that more species will be found in Britain, but our bone caves that have hitherto been discovered, are not of very great extent, and researches made in them by Mr. Matthews and Mr. Crotch for the purpose of discovering new Coleoptera, have proved fruitless; considering, however, that nearly one hundred species of Bathyscia have already been described from Europe, a large proportion of which are found in France, it is not unreasonable to expect that further additions to our fauna may yet be made; the most curious member of the group found in Europe is Leptoderus ; it is, however, improbable that this will occur in Britain. B. Wollastoni is found like other members of the genus under leaves, refuse, &c., but appears especially to affect the old rotten shells of seed potatoes, in which it is found occasionally in large numbers, when the new crop is dug up in the summer. B. Wollastoni, Jans. Short, oval, convex, reddish-brown, with fine and rather close yellowish pubescence, finely and thickly punctured, the punctuation of the elytra being somewhat asperate ; head depressed, with acute lateral angles; antenne reaching about to base of thorax, thickened gradually towards apex, penultimate joints almost or slightly transverse; thorax transverse, a little broader than elytra, gently and evenly rounded at sides, much contracted in front, posterior angles pro- duced, acute, fitting closely to shoulders of elytra; elytra narrowed behind, gradually rounded at apex, with sutural stria distinct; legs rather long and slender, male with the anterior tarsi 5-jointed,* dilated, * According to several authors the tibie are 4- 5- 5-jointed in both sexes. 72 CLAVICORNIA. : [ Bathyscia. female with the anterior tarsi 4-jointed, tibiae im both sexes, especially the middle ones, moderately spinulose. L. 1{-2 mm. Beneath vegetable refuse, rhubarb and lettuce-leaves in gardens, rarely in the nests of humble-bees ; common in seed potatoes in some localities in the summer ; local, but probably overlooked; first taken by Mr. E. W. Janson near Finchley, in August, 1854; Hammersmith; Staple, Kent (Gorham) ; Wingham, Kent (Hamlet Clark); Eastry, Kent; ‘St. Peter’s and Kingsgate, Kent (IT. Wood in great uumbers). SPHZERITINA. This tribe contains one genus Spheerites, which is included by some authors with the Szlphina, but is perhaps more correctly separated by reason of its truncate elytra, and the fact that the abdomen has only five segments, whereas in all the members of the Silphina it consists of six segments. SPHZERITES, Duftschmidt. This genus contains one species, S. glabratus, which is common to Northern Europe, Alaska, and Vancouver’s Island, and a second, S. politus, described from Sitkha, Northern Asia, which may perhaps be a form of the first ; S. glabratus has an appearance very similar to Hister ; it is very rare in Britain, and has only occurred in Scotland, and once in the Northumberland district. ° S. glabratus, F. Oblong, somewhat ovate, shining black, glabrous, with a more or less distinct metallic reflection; head small, thickly punctured, mandibles strongly developed; antenne short with a long scape and a solid 3-jointed club; thorax fitting closely to base of elytra, transverse, with sides narrowed slightly in front, posterior angles almost 1ight angles, upper surface very finely and scarcely visibly punctured ; scutellum large, triangular; elytra as broad as thorax and long in com- parison, sides subparallel, apex truncate, upper surface with fine punctured striz, interstices almost smooth; legs pitchy, tibie spinose externally, tarsi all 5-jointed. L. 6-6} mm. Under bark of dead trees, in decaying fungi, and at oozing sap, also in dung; rare; Scotland, Tweed, Tay, and Dee districts ; one specimen has also been taken at Wooler, in the Northumberland district, by Mr. J. Hardy. SCYDMANIDZ. This family differs from the Pselaphide in having the tarsi 5-jointed, and the elytra not or scarcely abbreviated; as a rule they entirely cover the abdomen, but are occasionally, as in Huthia, truncate and leave the pygidium exposed ; the posterior coxs are conical and distant; in the tribes represented in our fauna, the maxillary palpi are 4-jointed, with the last joint small and often obsolete ; the members of the family are small, shining insects, usually ovate, but sometimes rather slender, of a unicolorous black, dark brown, or reddish colour, more or less clothed Scydmenide.] CLAVICORNIA. 73 with erect hairs ; they occur in moss, under stones, under bark, in ants’ nests, &c., and are often found in company with Pselaphide. We know comparatively little of the family ; a large number of species have been described from almost all parts of the world, but more are perpetually being found in every district which is worked for them; the generic differences are by no means strictly defined ; several new genera have recently been formed to include various divisions of the large genus Scydmenus, but they must be regarded as only a provisional arrangement towards the final settlement of the genus. The British families may be defined as follows :— J. Last joint of maxillary palpi narrow, distinct, subulate; thorax narrower than elytra . . . ScoyDMNINA II, Last joint of maxillary palpi very short and br oad, obsolete, - thin je pointed, and rounded in conjunction with the third joint. . Thorax narrower than elytra; antenne feebly geniculate Bes the first joint as long as the two following. . . . EUMICRINA. - Thorax as broad or nearly as broad as elytra; antenne tenths ; first joint not as long as the two following . . CEPHENIINA. SCYDMZANINA. This tribe contains the old genus Scydmenus, which is now divided into several genera on certain characters of the head, thorax, coxe, &c. ; upwards of two hundred species are enumerated in the Munich catalogue, but this number by no means represents the limits of the genus. Our species may be subdivided as follows:— I. Head short, without distinct neck, eyes approximate to margins of thorax. i, Thorax strongly margined, with sides nearly straight from base to beyond middle; hind coxe contiguous . . N&URAPHES, Thoms. ii. Thorax cordiform without distinct pera hind coxee moderately separated. . . - ScypMznvs, Laér. II. Head long, divided from thorax by a distinct hak eyes placed at a considerable distance from margins of thorax . Evuvconnus, Thoms. NEURAPHES, Thomson. This genus contains about sixty European species; it is distinguished from Scydmenus by the shape of the thorax and the contiguous hind cox ; none of our British species are common; the insects “that stand in our collections under the name of S. pumilio (=minutus, Chaud.) appear to me to be nothing more than varieties at the most of S& Sparshalli. I. Forehead with a strong fovea near eyes ; thorax at base with a fine longitudinal keel above scutellum. i. Thorax distinctly punctured . . . . . . . N. ExLONGATULUS, Miill, ii. Thorax not, or scarcely, punctured. 1. Size larger; thorax about as long as broad, strongly narrowed and angled at sides on anterior third . . . ...... . . N.aneunatus, Mill. 74 CLAVICORNIA. [ Neuraphes. 2, Size smaller ; thorax longer thaa broad with sides rounded and gradually narrowed in front. A. Antenne with penultimate joints feebly transverse; elytra with the four basal im- pressions almost equally deep, the external oneselongate . . . . + «© « « « B. Antennxw with penultimate joints strongly transverse ; elytra with external basal im- pressions small and shallow. . . . . . N.carinatus, Muls. II. Forehead without fovea near eyes ; thorax without longitudinal keel before scutellum. i. Colour lighter; form more convex ; antennz less thickened towards apex ; transverse basal furrow of thorax with two foveew on each side near wmarging. 5! 25.0 2.oa eet te 6 ii. Colour darker; form depressed ; antennz more thickened towards apex; transverse basal furrow of thorax with one fovea on each side . . . . N.LONGrcoLLIs, Mots. (preteritus, Rye). N. rusicunpus, Schaum, N. SPARSHALLI, Denny. N. elongatulus, Miill. Dark pitchy-red or reddish-black, shining, antenne and legs reddish-testaceous, palpi and tarsi yellow ; somewhat immature specimens are lighter; head rather large, a little narrower than thorax ; antenne rather long and stout, gradually thickened to apex, with the penultimate joints distinctly transverse ; thorax rather long with the sides rounded in front and almost parallel behind, more or less distinctly punctured, depressed at base, with a fine keel above scutellum, and two foves on each side; elytra long oval, much broader than thorax, finely and not thickly punctured, with two rather long fover at base, of which the inner one is the broadest and deepest ; femora thickened at apex. L. 12 mm. In moss, &e. ; occasionally by evening sweeping ; not uncommon in some districts ; London district, generally distributed ; Hastings; Gosport; Riddlesdown ; Midland districts, in most localities, Bewdley, Sherwood, Repton, Birmirgham district, &c. ; it appears to become rarer further north; Scotland, rare, Solway and Tay districts. Ireland, Galway (J. J. Walker). N angulatus, Miill. (¢mpressus, Sahlb. Wighami, Denny). In size, colour, and general appearance this species rather closely resembles the preceding, but is very easily distinguished by the shape and sculpture of the thorax, which is about as long as broad, strongly angled on anterior third, abruptly contracted in front, and gradually narrowed towards base in almost a straight line; it is impunctate, and strongly pubescent at sides, especially in front; the antenns, moreover, have the penultimate joints less transverse than in N. elongatulus, the elytra have the sides a little less rounded, and are more finely punctured ; the shoulders also are more marked, and the femora are less dilated at apex. L. 12-1. In moss, &c.; occasionally by evening sweeping ; not uncommon ; Lee, Sheerness, Mickleham, Woking, Esher, Shirley, Ashtead, Caterham, West Wickham, Tonbridge ; Neuraphes.} CLAVICORNIA, 75 The Holt, Farnham; Sherwood Forest, under bark ; Repton Shrubs, near Burton-on- Trent ; it is not recorded from the northern counties or from Scotland, N. rubicundus, Muls. (Sharpi, Saulcy, teste, H. R. W). Long oval, very slightly depressed, entirely rufous or rufo-testaceous, with the palpi and tarsi yellow ; head together with eyes, which are prominent, somewhat narrower than thorax, antenne rather strongly thickened towards apex, with the three penultimate joints plainly transverse ; thorax considerably longer than broad, gradually rounded in front, and margined and narrowed almost in a straight line behind, with the basal fovew distinct, and a longitudinal keel before the scutellum; elytra long oval, broader than thorax, very sparingly and obsoletely punctured, with two fovez at the base of each, which are of almost equal depth ; legs slender, femora somewhat dilated towards apex. L. 13 mm. In moss, &c.; very rare; Shirley (Champion), in a sand-pit ; Ripon (Waterhouse) ; Scarborough ; in Dr, Sharp’s collection there is a specimen without locality labelled S. Sharpi, De Saulcy; it is of about the size and colour of S. Sparshalli, but answers very well to the description of S. rubicundus, of which it appears to be a small example. In the catalogue of Heyden, Reitter and Weise S. Sharpi is given as a synonym of S. rubicundus. N. carinatus, Muls. (glyptocephalus, Saulcy, teste, H.R. W.) Very like the preceding, but rather smaller, and as a rule more darkly coloured ; it is distinguished by its shorter antenne, which are more strongly and suddenly thickened at apex, and have the intermediate joints less slender and cylindrical; the keel at the base of the thorax before scutellum is more defined and more prolonged towards the front ; and the elytra have the shoulders a little more marked, and the external impressions at their base more feeble than those next the suture. L. 14 mm. In moss, &c.; very rare; Shirley (Rye); in Dr. Sharp’s collection there is a specimen from Eltham labelled 8. glyptocephalus, De Saulcy, which appears to belong to this species, of which it is quoted asa synonym in the last European catalogue. 8. carinatus was originally recorded as occurring under stones in company with Formica brunnea in the Beaujolais mountains, France. N. Sparshalli, Denny (helvolus, Schaum). Ferruginous or rufo- testaceous, convex, clothed sparingly with yellow pubescence, antennz and legs reddish-testaceous, palpi and tarsi lighter ; head together with eyes, which are large and projecting, only a little narrrower than thofax, antennz moderate, gradually thickened towards apex ; thorax sub- quadrate, with sides gently rounded in front, and gradually and slightly narrowed in almost a straight line to base, thickly pubescent at sides, with a transverse furrow at base, but no longitudinal keel above scutellum ; at the ends of the furrow are two foves of which the outer one is. deep and narrow ; elytra rather short, broad oval, convex, finely and plainly punctured, with two fove at the base of each, and a very plain humeral fold ; femora feebly thickened at apex. L. 1 mm. In moss, &e.; occasionally by evening sweeping; rare; Mickleham, Caterham, 76 OLAVICORNIA. [ Newraphes. Croydon, Woking, Bromley, Chobham, Wanstead, Esher, Birdbrook, Highgate, Horsell, Lee, Sheerness, Westerham, &c. ; Norfolk ; Acocks Green, near Birmingham ; Repton and Burton-on-Trent ; Scotland, very rare, Tweed and Forth districts, V. minutus, Chaud. (Scydmenus pumilio, Schaum ;- Neuwraphes minutus, Reitter). This variety, which some authors consider a separate species, appears only to differ from type WV. Sparshalli by its somewhat smaller form, broader head, and plainer basal fovee of thorax ; it is also said to be usually of a darker colour, and to have more obtusely pointed elytra, but the differences are very slight, and can hardly be considered specific. L. + mm, First taken by Mr. Matthews at Gumley, Leicestershire, and by Dr. Power, at Lee pit, Kent, The Holt near Farnham, and Littlington, Cambridge. N. longicollis, Mots (preteritus, Rye). Fusco-piceous, often with a reddish tinge, with antenne and legs reddish-testaceous, somewhat. de- pressed, sparingly pubescent, head with eyes a little narrower than thorax, _antenne rather long, plainly thickened to apex, with joints 8—] 0 transverse ; thorax elongate-quadrate, narrowed in front, and with sides almost straight behind, impunctate, with a transverse furrow at base furnished with one fovea only at each side, and without longitudinal keel before scutellum ; elytra elongate-ovate, sparingly and very obsoletely punctured, with two deep foveee at the base of each; legs slender, femora thickened at apex. L. 1-1; mm. In moss, &., generally in company with ants, occasionally by evening sweeping ; rare; Croydon, Weybridge, Erith, Caterham, Darenth, Snodland, Strood, Norwood, Forest Hill; Chatham; Folkestone; Isle of Wight; Seaford, Devon. In colour and general appearance, as Mr. Rye remarks in his descrip- tion (Ent. Monthly Mag. ix. 6), this species very closely resembles a very small specimen of S. elongatulus, from which it may be known by its more depressed elytra, and impunctate thorax, and also by the absence of a longitudinal keel on thorax before scutellum. SCYDMZENUS, Laireille. he genus Scydmenus proper contains only about twenty-five European species, and apparently is less extensive than either Newraphes or Euconnus ; it resembles the former in having the head short and the eyes approximate to the margins of thorax, but may be easily distin- guished by the cordiform shape of the latter, and by the moderately separated hind coxe ; in all our species (with the exception of S. exilis) there is no transverse furrow at the base of the thorax, but in its place four more or less distinct round fover ; the genus is easily separated from Euconnus by the formation of the head, which in the latter genus is long and separated from the thorax by a distinct neck, and also has the eyes placed at a considerable distance from the margins of thorax. ae Sydmenus. | CLAVICORNIA. 77 I. Elytra with two distinct fovess at the base of each ; thorax with four fovew at base. i. Size large (nearly 2 mm.) ; elytra broad oval, coarsely and diffusely punctured; colour brownish-red. . . S. Gopartt, Latr. ii. Size smaller (not exceeding 13 mm.). | 1. Elytra finely and indistinctly punctured ; colour black ; size larger. A. Form shorter and broader; elytra broad oval; sides of thorax gently rounded . . ea B. Form longer and narrower; elytra oblong oval; sides of thorax sharply rounded, almost WGDIOR TN TRG Sure ARO OL s epg oe Woe te 2. Elytra rather strongly and not closely punctured ; size smaller. A. Colour black; elytra narrower, more coarsely and diffusely punctured. . . . 2. ee B. Colour dark reddish-brown; elytra broader, - less coarsely and diffusely punctured . . . . S. Powent, Fowler. II. Elytra with one distinct dorsal fovea at base of each; thorax without distinct basal fovess, but with an indistinct transverse basal furrow .. . . . . . S. EXILis, Er, S. SCUTELLARIS, Mill. S. contaris, Wiill. S. pustutus, Mill. S. Godarti, Lair. The largest of our British Scydmenide ; of a short and convex form, colour lighter or darker chestnut-brown or reddish, antenne and legs red, tarsi testaceous-yellow ; antenne rather long and slender and scarcely thickened towards apex, with the four penultimate joints as long as broad; head a little narrower than thorax ; thorax feebly cordiform, about as broad as long at its widest, with the basal fovez small ; elytra much broader than thorax, oval, very convex, plainly punctured, with two rather small fovee at the base of each, of which the outer one is less distinct ; the usual fold at the shoulders is only just indicated, L. 14-2 mm. Male with anterior femora more thickened towards apex, rounded externally, Under bark, in rotten wood, in company with ants; rarely under decaying leaves ; rare; Loughton, Essex; Buddon Wood, Leicestershire, in nests of Formica rufa ; Sherwood Forest (in rotten wood with ants, also on newly felled timber in the evening) ; Dunham Park, Manchester, in moss and hepatic. S. scutellaris, Mill. Black, shining, very convex, with sparing yellowish pubescence, antennez and legs reddish-testaceous, femora dark, palpi yellow; head narrower than thorax, eyes large; antennz rather slender, feebly thickened towards apex, with the two penultimate joints about as long as broad ; thorax about as broad as long, feebly cordiform, impunctate, with four fovess at base; elytra broad, rather short oval, sparingly and finely punctured, with two fovee at base of each ; humeral fold short but distinct. L. 12-15 mm. Male with the anterior femora rather strongly inflated and angled externally towards apex. In haystack and other refuse, moss, decaying sea-weed, &c., also under stones, especially in long grass near the coast; generally distributed and common in the 78 CUAVIOORNIA. [ Scydmenus. London district, and the Southern and Midland Counties; rarer further north, and apparently very rare in the Northumberland district; it is not recorded from Scotland. S. collaris, Miill. Black, shining, very like the preceding in general appearance, but narrower and more elongate, with the thorax longer than broad and less gradually rounded in front, and the elytra long oval and less obtuse at apex ; the humeral fold is very short and indistinct ; the male anterior femora, moreover, are only gradually dilated, and not angled but rounded externally, and broadest near the middle. In moss, &.; generally distributed and common throughout England, and probably Ireland, and not rare in Scotland, Solway, Tweed, Forth, and Dee districts. L. 12-13 mm. Immature specimens often occur of this and the preceding species which are entirely rufo-testaceous and cause great confusion; the form and sculpture will, however, serve to distinguish them. S. pusillus, Miill (flavicornis, Mots.). Long oval, convex, smaller than the two preceding species, black, shining, clothed sparingly with rather fine yellow pubescence, antenne and legs reddish-testaceous, femora usually darker, palpi and tarsi yellow; head narrower than thorax, antenne moderate, with the two penultimate joints somewhat transverse ; thorax convex, feebly cordiform, slightly longer than broad, impunctate, with four foves at base of which the inner pair are some- what larger than the others; elytra long oval, very plainly punctured, with two fovee at the base of each; humeral fold short and not distinct. L. 11-1} mm. Male with the anterior femora gradually dilated, and acutely angled externally at apex. In moss, flood refuse, &c., especially about river banks; rare; Chatham, Egham (Surrey), Mickleham, Walton-on-Thames, Sydenham, Staines, Tottenham; Hawk- hurst; Glanvilles Wootton ; Devonshire; Buddon Wood, Leicestershire (in nests of ~_— rufa); Duarham (in hotbeds at Gilesgate Moor); Scotland, very rare, Solway istrict, This species closely resembles in general appearance small specimens of 8. collaris, which often do duty for it in collections, but apart from its size it may be known by the much plainer punctuation of the elytra, the shape of the basal thoracic fovese (of which the inner pair are larger than the outer in S. pusillus, whereas in S. collaris the inner pair are more or less obsolete), and the shape of the anterior femora in the male ; all the femora appear to be more dilated at apex than in S. collaris. S. Poweri, Fowler. This species (described by myself in the Entomologist’s Monthly Magazine, xx. 247) is closely allied to S. pusillus, but may be easily distinguished by its colour which is dark reddish- brown (asin S, elongutulus), and by the less coarse and diffuse punctuation Scydmenus. | OLAVICORNIA. 79 of the elytra; the general form too is broader and the elytra are wider and more convex ; the basal fovez of thorax are somewhat different, the central pair being often rather indistinct ; the legs are yellow, with the femora somewhat inflated at apex. L. 14-mm. In marshy and damp places; rare; taken at Wimbledon, Birdbrook (Essex), and Seaton, Devonshire, by Dr. Power, who had the specimens separated as distinct in his collection for some time before he requested me to describe it. S. exilis, Er. (bicolor, Denny; vicinus, Chaud.; Stenichnus exilis, Thoms.). The smallest of our species of Scydmenus proper ; of much the same form as S. pusillus but smaller; rufo-castaneous with the head and thorax usually darker, sometimes black, antenne and legs rufo-testaceous, tarsi yellow ; head with eyes, which are rather large, narrower than thorax, antenne rather long, gradually thickened to apex ; thorax a little longer than broad, feebly cordiform, impunctate, with an indistinct basal furrow, but with the usual fovez only indicated ; elytra long oval, finely and sparingly punctured, with only one distinct fovea at the base of each, the fovea near shoulder being shallow and usually more or less obsolete, humeral fold absent. LL. 1 mm. Male with the anterior femora a little more thickened than in the female. Under bark; rare; Chatham, Leith Hill, Cobham Park, Hampstead, Loughton ; Norwich ; New Forest ; Netley ; Parkhurst Forest, l-le of Wight ; Sutton Park and Coleshill, near Birmingham; Bewdley Forest; Hopwas Wood, Tamworth; Cannock Chase; Sherwood Forest (in some numbers); Ripon; Scotland, Highlands, very rare, under bark of dead trees, Clyde and Tay districts. EUVUCONNUS, Thomson. This genus contains about fifty European species; four of these are British, one of which, EL. fimetarius, is considered by many authors as at most a variety of H. hirticollis ; the character presented by the antennze seems however to be specific ; EH. denticornis is rather a large species and is very easily known by the characters of the antenne in the male, whereas HZ, nanus is the smallest of all our Scydmenide and certainly appears to be generically different. The characters of the genus have been pointed out above (p. 76). . I. Antenne with four-jointed club. i, Size larger; male with the 8th and 9th joints of antennee dilated, securiform . . . . .. .-.- ii. Size smaller; joints of the antennz simple in both sexes. 1. Antenne distinctly shorter and less slender with the joints less elongate; pubescence of elytra KIGSERNT elas ie ie) tla ae PRE) eee etlts® due BIMETARTUSS Okaud, 2. Antenne distinctly longer and more slender with the joints more elongate; pubescence of elytra less LORY eee ee) a8 La ea ear iy miats Wer by MIRTTOOLTIB, | 202, II, Antenne with three-jointed club; size very minute . E,. nanus, Sehauin, E. DENTICORNIS, Jill. 80 OLAVICORNIA. [Zuconnus. E. denticornis, Miill. (rujicornis, Denny), Rather a large species, convex, black or pitchy-black, shining, with thick bristly pubescence at the sides of thorax and on the temples, antenne and legs ferruginous, femora black or pitchy ; head large, nearly as broad as thorax, antenne rather long and robust ; thorax somewhat cylindrical, longer than broad, narrowed in front, impunctate, with two distinct fovee at base and between them a small fold; elytra oval, convex, almost impunctate, foveolate at base, with a strong humeral fold; femora dilated. L. 13—- 14 mm, *Male with the first two joints of the club dilated and denticulate, the first longer than broad, securiform, the second subquadrate and strongly toothed at apex; in the female the three first joints of the club are simple, about as long as broad. In moss, vegetable refuse, &c.; occasionally by evening sweeping ; rare; Mickle- ham, Esher, Caterham, Dorking, Faversham, Ashford, Darenth, Surbiton, Purley, Cowley, Chattenden; Norfolk; Hollington and Guestling, near Hastings; New Forest ; Scarborough. E. hirticollis, Ill. Of very much the same shape as the preceding, deep black, shining, sparingly pubescent, except on thorax, which is clothed with very thick and long bristly pubescence ; antenne, palpi and legs ferruginous, club of the former and the femora blackish ; head small, somewhat orbicular, with a large neck, antenne long and slender with the joints rather elongate; thorax longer than broad, somewhat cylindrical, narrowed in front, base transversely compressed, with two indistinct fovee; elytra short oval, impunctate and very sparingly pubescent ; legs long, femora dilated at apex. L. 14 mm. Marshy places—in wet moss, and at roots of grass; also under fallen leaves in woods; rare; Faversham, Weybridge, Caterham; Horning Fen; Wicken Fen; Tewkesbury ; Sutton Park, Birmingham ; it is also recorded from the Southern dis- tricts (Hastings, Portsmouth, &c.), and from the neighbourhood of Durham, and other localities, but many of the records of its capture evidently apply to the following species, which is by far the commoner of the two. EH. fimetarius, Chaud. (hirticollis, var., Reitter, &c.). Very closely resembling the preceding species, but with the penultimate joint of the palpi fuscous, and the hairs on the elytra shorter and less scattered ; the chief difference, however, lies in the formation of the antenns, which are evidently shorter and more thickened towards apex, and have the joints less elongate ; according to Thomson the male has the penultimate seg- ment of the abdomen impressed in the middle at apex, and the posterior margin subtruncate. L. 14 mm. In haystack and vegetable refuse; rather local; London district, not common, Dorking, Esher, Putney, Bromley, Shirley, Merton, Darenth, Hammersmith; Sheer- ness; Tonbridge; The Holt, Farnham; Glanvilles Wootton; Repton, Burton-on- Trent; Durham district ; Scotland, very rare, Forth district. It appears to be com- moner than EZ, hirticollis; its habitat is different, and it may easily be distinguished by the formation of the antennz ; the two species are very often mixed together, but af Euconnus. | CLAVICORNIA. 81 typical specimens appear to be very distinct; a good many authors, however, consider them to be merely varieties of one species. E. nanus, Schaum. (minimus, Chaud.; gilbulus, Mots.). A very minute species, the smallest of the European Scydmenide ; of a rather long convex form, clothed with fine and rather thick pubescence, which is thicker and somewhat bristly at the sides of thorax, brownish-red, or pitchy, or reddish-testaceous (the colour of the head and thorax being sometimes darker than that of elytra) with the legs and antenne yellow ; head somewhat round, narrower than thorax, antenne rather stout, with a three-jointed club, the two penultimate joints transverse ; thorax some- what cylindrical, a little narrower than elytra, impunctate, with four fovez at base of which the inner pair are large, and the outer small and indistinct ; elytra oval and eonvex, very finely punctured, impressed at base. L. 3 mm. Under decaying leaves, &c.; extremely local; I know of no other locality except Scarborough, in the neighbourhood of which place it has been taken in some numbers by Messrs. Lawson and Wilkinson. EUMICRINA. The members of this tribe resemble the Scydmenina in general appearance, but agree with the Cephenniina in the formation of the maxillary palpi ; they are rather closely allied to the Mastigina, a tribe which contains some of the largest representatives of the Scydmenide ; in fact this tribe is by some authors included under ‘the Eumicrina ; the Eumicrina are represented in Britain by one genus containing two species, which differ from one another in several important points, and have in consequence been placed by some authorities in different genera. EUMICRUS, Castelnau. This genus contains a considerable number of species which are found in various parts of the world, representatives having been recorded from North and South America, India, Australia, Arabia, &c.; they occur in moss, vegetable refuse, hot-beds, &c., and also in damp wood mould under bark. I. Elytra and thorax with more or Jess distinct basal impres- sions or fovese; eyes large; anterior tarsi strongly dilated in male; size larger; colour pitchy-reddish or castaneous. HE. TArsatus, J/iill. IJ. Elytra without basal impressions, thorax without distinct fovere ; eyes small; anterior tarsi simple in both sexes ; size smaller; colour rufo-testaceous . . .. .. =. : . HE. RurFus, Miill. =. tarsatus, Mill. Chestnut-brown or pitchy-red, head and thorax often darker, antenne and legs red; form rather long, convex, narrowed in front ; upper surface clothed rather sparingly with yellowish pubes- cence; head somewhat orbicular, antenne long with the first joint VOL. Ill, G 82 CLAVICORNIA, [ Lumterus. cylindrical, as long as the two following, and thicker, joints 9-11 forming a gradual and not very marked club; thorax longer than broad, im- punctate, feebly rounded and widened before middle, with four fovez at base ; elytra oval, convex, much broader than thorax, very finely and obsoletely punctured, each with a distinct fovea at base ; femora clavate, ‘thickened towards apex ; posterior trochanters elongate. L. 2 mm. Male with intermediate tarsi feebly, and anterior tarsi strongly, dilated. In haystack and vegetable refuse, cut grass, dung-heaps, under stones, &c.; generally distributed and common throughout the London and southern districts and the midlands; rarer further north; Northumberland and Durham district, rare; Scotland, rare, Solway and Tweed districts. E. rufus, Mill. (agilis, Mots. ; Cholerus rufus, Thoms.; Heterognathus rufus, King). A small convex species, of a rufo-testaceous colour, with rather fine yellowish pubescence ; head large, antenne moderately long, with the last three joints forming a club, the two penultimate ones being about as long as broad ; thorax ovate cylindrical, slightly longer than broad, without fovez at base; elytra short oval, much broader in the middle than thorax, very finely but visibly punctured ; femora clavate, strongly thickened towards apex ; the metasternum is very long, and the hind legs viewed from above appear to start from the apical portion of the elytra; this is the case, to a somewhat lesser degree, with £. tarsatus ; the sexual differences appear to be very slight. L. 1i mm, Under bark, and in damp wood mould; very rare; two specimens only have occurred in Britain, one taken by Mr. Champion in Riehmond Park, Surrey, in March, 1871, and a second which was kindly given me by Mr. E. A. Butler, who captured it in 1882 at Hurst Green, Sussex, a village near Etchingham Station on the S.E, railway; he found it on his little girl’s dress, after she had been playing in a field for some time, so that it evidently came out of the grass, and might perhaps be obtained by sweeping in the locality ; it is found not rarely in some parts of Europe under bark and in rotten stumps with ants. ‘This species and Z, tarsatus certainly seem to belong to different genera. CEPHENNIINA. The genera belonging to this tribe are very distinct from the rest of the Scydmenide in general appearance by reason of the broad thorax which is about as wide at base as the elytra, so that the insects present a continuous outline; in the genus Kzthia, moreover, the elytra are truncate and leave the pygidium exposed; the maxillary palpi, as in the Eumicrina, are apparently 3-jointed, the ‘fourth joint being very short broad and obsolete, and rounded in conjunction with the third joint ; two of the three European genera are found in Britain. I. Apex of elytra truncate, pygidium exposed ; base of thorax with five foverw . . . Evurura, Steph. II. Apex of elytra rounded, pygidium covered; "base of thorax without fovew . . 6 «© + 2 «© 4 . . CEPHENNIUM, Miill. 4 Buthia.) CLAVICORNIA. 83 EUTHIA, Stephens. This genus contains at present only a few species which are mainly confined to Europe ; they are very distinct from the rest of the Scydmex- nidz as may be gathered from the characters above given; they are found in moss, vegetable refuse, hot-beds, &¢., and often in ants’ nests ; four species occur in Britain, all of which are rare, and one or two extremely rare ; they may be separated as follows :— I. Colour ert, black or pitchy-black. i. Club of antennz less abrupt; elytra broader and more ovate, less plainly punctured . . E. sCcYDMENOIDES, Sleph, ii. Club of antenne abrupt ; elytra narrower ‘and more parallel-sided, very plainly punctured . . . . . E.cuavata, Reitter. Elytra testaceous or reddish-brown. i. Elytra reddish-brown ; upper surface very finely and rather closely punctured and era club of antenne abrupt; size smaller. . E. Scuaumi, Kies. ii. Elytra testaceous; upper surface very finely and sparingly punctured and pubescent ; club of an- tenn very gradual; sizelarger. . . . . . . HE. puicata, Gyll. E. scydmeenoides, Steph. (linearis, Muls.; abbreviatella, Er.). Elongate, not very convex, pitchy-black, clothed with rather fine and short greyish-yellow pubescence ; head much narrower than thorax ; antenne rather stout, reddish with the club often pitchy, club not very abrupt, both the penultimate joints transverse; thorax scarcely broader than long, rather convex and with sides rounded in front, depressed and with sides narrowed behind, not very thickly but plainly, punctured, with five fovee at base ; elytra at base scarcely broader than thorax, with sides slightly rounded, broadest about middle, finely but plainly punctured, with the apex truncate ; pygidium scarcely visibly punctured ; legs slender, testaceous or reddish-testaceous. L. 1- 11 mm. In moss, haystack and vegetable refuse, &e.; not common; Caterham; Black- heath: Lee pit; The Holt, Farnham; Kegworth; Dover; Devon; Knowle (abun- dant in hot-beds, Blatch) ; Repton, Burton-on-Trent; it often occurs on the wing, and is sometimes, apparently, found in company with ants. Stephens first described it from Highgate and Wimbledon. E. clavata, Reitter. Very closely allied to the preceding, but narrower, with the sides of the elytra more parallel, and usually of a more pitchy-brownish colour; the antenne are lighter, except the three last joints which are darker, and form a distinctly more abrupt club ; the thorax is a little more narrowed in front and behind, so that at its broadest it seems rather more dilated; the antenne in the female are very elongate, being very nearly one-fourth longer than those of the male, with the club less pronounced, a point which is noticed by Mr, Blatch but not by Herr Reitter in his description. L. 1-14 mm. Under bark of oak oe in Sherwood Forest; rare; first taken by Mr. Blatch in G 2 84 CLAVICORNIA. [ Euthia. the early spring of 1883, and subsequently by Mr, Blatch and Mr. Horner in the same locality. E. Schaumi, Kies (albreviatella, Thoms.). Fusco-piceous with the elytra testaceous or brownish-testaceous, antenne palpi and legs reddish- testaceous ; somewhat depressed, with very fine, short, and somewhat thick silky pubescence ; head narrower than thorax, eyes large and rather prominent, antenne long, with distinct three-jointed club ; thorax searcely broader than long, with sides feebly rounded in front before middle, plainly but variably punctured, the punctuation being sometimes as close as that of elytra and sometimes decidedly less close, base depressed and foveate ; elytra rather long and parallel-sided, very finely and rather closely punctured ; abdomen and pygidium pitchy-brown, apex of latter lighter; legs slender. L. 14-12 mm. Iu hot-beds, under bones, also under poplar-bark, &e.; rare; Felixstowe (Water- house); Knowle and Small Heath near Birmingham and Wicken Fen (Blatch) ; Repton (Garneys) ; it has been taken near Gla-gow, and I have a specimen taken by Mr. Beaumont in Scotland, without any locality attached. &. plicata, Gyll. Very like the preceding, but larger and more shining, and with the elytra of a bright rufo-castaneous colour ; it may moreover be easily distinguished by the very gradual club of the antenne, and its much more sparing and very fine punctuation; it is the largest of our British species of Huthia. L. 12 mm, Under bark, in company with ants; a'so in cut grass, flood refuse, &c., and occa- sionally by evening sweeping; rare; Shirley, Caterham, Mickleham, Surbiton, Leytonstone, Esher; Whittlesea; Buddon Wood, Leicestershire (in nests of Formica rufa); Stretford, near Manchester. | CEPHENNIUM, Mill. Eleven species only are enumerated in the Munich catalogue as be- longing to this genus, but in the last European catalogue about forty species are mentioned from Europe alone, so that in all probability the genus is an extensive one; it differs from Huthia in having the apex of - elytra rounded and the pygidium covered, and in the sculpture of the base of the thorax; two species have usually been regarded as British, but the second appears merely to be a variety of the first; the members of the genus are found under leaves, in moss, &., in company with species of Scydmenus. Cc. thoracicum, Miill. (Scydmenus thoracicus, Denny). Pitchy- black or obscurely castaneous, or with the thorax reddish and the elytra pitchy, or entirely reddish, of a short and broad, almost parallel, form, clothed with fine yellowish pubescence ; head nearly always ferruginous, small, triangular, antenne slender, reddish yellow, with the three last joints forming a club, the last being nearly as long as the two preceding ; thorax very large and convex, wider in front than elytra, a little con- tracted at base, scarcely punciured, without basal foyee; elytra long ‘ a ey ee ee een ee Cephennium. | CLAVICORNIA. 85 oval, very finely and rather thickly punctured, each with a deep fovea in middle of base, apex and also the pygidium reddish. L. 1 mm. Male with the anterior tibie slightly thickened towards apex, and slightly curved before apex ; metasternum deeply impressed, In moss, &c. ; not uncommon and rather generally distributed in the London and Southern districts, and it occurs generally in some of the midland districts, but there appears to be no record from further north than Repton, Burton-on-Trent (where it is rare) ; it does not occur in Scotland. (CG. intermedium, Aubé. A single specimen of an insect, named as this species by M. Fairmaire, was taken by the Rev. A. Matthews near Silchester, Hants, in 1859, and described by him in the Zoologist for 1862 (7976) ; according to Mr. Matthews the species may be known by its dark colour, smaller thorax, rather longer antenne, and more elongate shape; according to Aubé’s description, however, the shape should be shorter, so that M. Fairmaire’s determination of the specimen appears to be doubtfully correct ; the species appears to be represented in many collections by colour varieties of C. thoracicum). CLAVIGERIDZ. The species that form this family are by many authors included as a tribe under the Pselaphide, with which they have some points in common ; at the same time they differ so widely as a whole from these latter, that it is best to separate them off as a family; they may be distinguished by their long cylindrical head and curiously formed abdomen, of which the front segments are connate, as well as by their general contour; the number of joints in the antenne varies from two to six, and the palpi are one-jointed and inconspicuous ; these points, as a rule, serve to distinguish them from the Pselaphide, which generally have the antenne 11-jointed and the palpi 3- or 4-jointed and long and conspicuous ; abnormal species of Pselaphidw, however, occur, which resemble the Clavigeride in these characters; the tarsi are 3-jointed, the first and second joints being very short, and the third long, and terminated by a single claw; many of the species are totally devoid of eyes ; they live with ants which, by caressing the tufts of hair that grow on their abdomen, cause the exudation of a fluid; this they swallow greedily, and in return appear to support the Clavigers, which seem to have lost the natural instinct of feeding themselves; as Sir John Lubbock observes (Ants, Bees, and Wasps, Int. Scientific Series, p. 84), the slave-making ant and Claviger and certain other myrme- cophilous beetles are the only cases in nature of an animal having lost this instinct. We possess one species only of the family in Britain, which is local but not uncommon where it occurs, CLAVIGER, Preyssler. This genus contains seventeen or eighteen European species and one 86 OLAVICORNIA. [ Claviger. or. two representatives from India, &¢.; the characters given for the family will serve to distinguish our single species, which is totally unlike any other British insect. C. testaceus, Preyss. (foveolatus, Mill). Entirely testaceous or reddish-testaceous, shining, head and thorax rather thickly pubescent ; head long cylindrical, antenne short, club-shaped, six-jointed, last joint large, eyes wanting ; thorax longer than broad, narrowed in front, with a fovea at base ; elytra much broader than thorax, widened and deeply impressed towards apex ; abdomen, if viewed from above, apparently composed of one segment with a deep longitudinal furrow at base ; legs short, tibiee narrowed at base. L. 2-2; mm. Male with the intermediate femora before middle and the intermediate tibize before apex armed with a little tooth ; abdomen with the sixth ventral segment furnished with a small tubercle at apex. In nests of Formica flava (Lasius flavus), beneath flints on chalky hillsides or downs; local, but not uncommon where it occurs; Box Hill; Mickleham; Dorking ; Portland; Southdowns (Chanctonbury); Freshwater, Isle of Wight; Seaford, Devon; Clevedon, Somerset ; Scotland, very rare, Tweed and Forth districts ; Ireland, near Waterford ; the species occurs on the continent in company with Lasius niger as well as D. flavus, PSELAPHIDZ. This family contains a considerable number of genera which are in many points closely allied to the Scydmeenide, but differ in having the tarsi 3-jointed and the elytra much abbreviated; in the arrangement followel below two tribes only are adopted, but some authors add two others, Batrisina and Bryaxina ; there is, however, no particular reason why they should be adopted, and it is well not to multiply tribes too much if possible; the two tribes distinguished below are very distinct. I, Posterior coxee transverse not prominent or contiguous; form never Jinedr’, . 0. 3 a Uo ee oe ne cee ee PsELAPHINA. II. Posterior cox conical, prominent, contiguous; form usually VT a a een ae eM Ng ens eer PSELAPHINA. The genera contained in this tribe are widely distributed throughout the world ; as yet, however, we know comparatively little about them, as we may judge from the number of species that have lately been obtained in various countries by collectors who have found time to attend to the minuter groups of Coleoptera ; they are easily distinguished from the Euplectina by their wider bottle-shaped form, and from the Scydmenidz by their much shorter elytra. I, Antenne inserted on two more or less approximate tuber- cles; maxillary palpi (in our genera) very long and con- spicuous, - Pselaphina.} CLAVICORNIA. 87 i. Maxillary palpi with the last joint very long, club-shaped PsrLaruus, Herbst. ii. Maxillary palpi with the last joint securiform, usually broad. 1. Antenne with the first joint moderate, very closely ap- proximate at base; abdomen with the first visible dorsal segment longer than the following . . Tyouvs, Leach, 2. Antenne subgeniculate with the first joint large, less approximate at base; abdomen with the first dorsal segments subequal ., Byrtuinus, Leach. II. Antenne distant, inserted at the sides of the head maxil- lary palpi not conspicuously large. i. Tarsi with two unequal claws . . .. =. . . ». . BATRISUS, Aube. ii. Tarsi with a single claw. 1. Thorax with three foveze at base united by a transverse furrow, elytra of male — in a short and broad lobe at apex. . RyBaxis, Sauley. 2. Thorax with three fovem ‘at “bane, not aniked. by a a furrow; elytra of male simple atapex . . . . . . Bryaxis, Leach. PSELAPHUS, Herbst. The genus Pselaphus contains, according to the Munich catalogue, twenty-one species, but nearly that number of new European species alone has since been described ; representatives occur in North and South America, India and Australia, so that the genus is evidently very widely distributed ; its limits, however, are very imperfectly known ; the species occur in moss, vegetable refuse, &c., and are among the most elegant of the minuter Coleoptera ; they may be distinguished, as a rule, by their large and somewhat triangular abdomen, which is much narrowed in front, long and more or less cylindrical neck, and the very long maxillary palpi; they are found in moss, vegetable refuse, &c. I. Thorax narrow, much longer than broad, without impression at base. . P. HEISEI, Herbst. II. Thorax broader, only a little longer than ‘proad, with an impression at base... ean + . P. DRESDENSIS, Herbst. P. Heisei, Herbst. (Herbst, Reiehb) Naas chestnut or reddish- brown with the apex of the elytra sometimes darker; head long, eyes large, forehead strongly furrowed, with two large yellowish tubercles between eyes ; antenne long, rather strongly thickened towards apex, second joint twice as long as third ; thorax long, ovate cylindrical, without furrow at base ; elytra narrow in front, strongly widened behind, with long and thick tomentose pubescence at apex; abdomen with the first visible dorsal segment longer than the following taken together, strongly margined ; legs red, tarsi usually lighter, elongate, with the tibie con- stricted at base. L. 13-2 mm. In moss, haystack refuse, &c.; generally distributed throughout the greater part of England, as far north as Yorkshire ; rare in the northern counties; Scotland, rare, Lowlands, among sphagnum, Forth and Solway districts ; Ireland, Dublin, Portishead, Armagh and Galway, and probably generally distributed. ig ; 88 CLAVICORNIA, - [ Pselaphus. | P. dresdrensis, Herbst. Very like the preceding in general appear- ance but darker, and easily distinguished by the shape of the thorax, which is broader in proportion, and not much longer than broad, and is furnished with a distinct longitudinal semicircular impressed line at base ; the second joint of the antenne is almost equal to the third, and the last joint is ovate and smaller, instead of almost securiform and larger as in P. Heisei; the pubescence also at the apex of the elytra is shorter ; the two species differ also in the sculpture of the metasternum in the male, but the sexual characters do not appear to be important. L. 14-2 mm. In damp localities, in moss, &e.; extremely rare, and usually occurring singly ; The Holt, Farnham, one specimen (Power); Askham Bog, York, where Archdeacon Hey used to take about one specimen yearly from the moss at the side of the stagnant pools; Scotland, very rare, Tweed district. Denny used to take it very sparingly at Woodbastwick and Loddon in Norfolk (Mon. Pselaph. et Scydm. Brit., page 48.) TYCHUS, Leach. This genus contains forty or fifty species from various parts of the world ; they differ from Pselaphus in the formation of the palpi and general shape, and from Bythinus in the relative length of the segments of the abdomen ; we possess one British species, the insect that has been introduced as T'ychus ibericus being a variety of Z. niger with reddish elytra. T. niger, Payk. Black, with the antenne and legs reddish tes- taceous, elytra sometimes chestnut brown or reddish, at all events on disc ; head triangular with large and prominent eyes; antenne stout, rather long, with the first joint about as long as the second, last three joints forming a strong club; maxillary palpi yellow, last joint securi- form; thorax somewhat broader than long, convex, with five large punctures at base; elytra much broader than thorax, convex sub- quadrate, with an entire sutural stria; abdomen with the first visible dorsal segment longer than the following which are gradually narrower, sparingly pubescent with long out-standing sete ; legs long, especially the posterior pair, femora sometimes infuscate. L. 15 mm. Male with the 5th joint of the antenne strongly dilated, about three times as broad as those contiguous to it. In moss, dead leaves, haystack refuse, &c.; generally distributed and common in the Southern and Midland districts of England, but I cannot find any record from further north than Manchester, and it does not appear to occur in Scotland; Ireland, near Belfast and Armagh. BYTHINUS, Leach. In the Munich catalogue forty-seven species only of this genus are enumerated (including those belonging to the genus Macheerites) ; in the catalogue of Heyden, Reitter and Weise, more than a hundred species are mentioned from Europe alone; it is evident therefore that our knowledge of it is very limited; species have been described from Bythinus. a, CLAVICORNIA, 89 y America and Australia, so that it is evidently widely distributed ; the shape of the maxillary palpi, which are large and conspicuous, differs very much in individual members of the genus, and the characters presented by the second joint of the antenne in the male are very important. The genus may be divided into two sub-genera as follows :— 1. Antenne with the first joint very long; basal joint of palpi, at least in the female, uneven ; eyes of female very small or wanting; elytra TPUUCtAN..< oes Taree Gre ee II, Antene with the first joint moderate; basal joint of palpi without trace of prominences or teeth ; elytra in all our species punctured . , Sub-gen. ByrHinvs, i. sp. Sub-gen. Macnzritss, Miiller. (Sub-Gen. Macherites, Miiller.) This sub-genus contains only one British species ; fifteen species are enumerated in the last European catalogue, but one or two others have been recently described by M. Fauvel ; they are found in caves, and also in ants’ nests, under stones, &c. B. glabratus, Rye. Testaceous-red, very shining, thinly-clothed with long scattered yellowish hairs; head rather narrow and elongate, eyes black, very small; antenne rather slender, basal joint almost cylin- drical, and almost as long as joints 3-8 together; 2nd joint as long as 3 and 4 together, with no perceptible peculiarity of structure, 10th and 11th forming a club; thorax cordate-rather straightly narrowed behind, with a large shallow fovea on each side below the middle, reaching the lateral margin and connected across the base of thorax by an impressed curved line; elytra with the sides gradually widened and rounded from the base to the outer posterior angle, impunctate, or at most with a few obsolete traces of punctures ; abdomen smooth and shining, legs reddish- testaceous, slender and elongate. L. 1j-14 mm. Three specimens of this very rare species were taken by Messrs. F. H. and E. A. Waterhouse at the end of the summer of 1865 in a mossy hollow on the chalk on Seaford Downs, in company with Zrichonyx Maerkelii and a small yellow Myrmica (v. Ent. Monthly Mag. vii., p. 83) ; I captured a single specimen under a stone in company with 7. Maerkelii at Sandown, Isle of Wight, on April 12th, 1884. There are two specimens in Dr, Sharp’s collection from Eecles, near Dumfries, which are doubtfully referred to this species. (Sub-Gen. Bythinus, i. sp.) This sub-genus has usually been considered to contain five British species, but a sixth, B. validus, must be added; the characters of the antenne and maxillary palpi will serve, as a rule, to distinguish them. I. Thorax distinctly punctured. i. Male with the femora simple and the first joint of the antenne armed with a small dentiform appendage atapex; thorax narrower. . . . . . . . . 3B, PUNCTICOLLIS, Denny. 90 CLAVICORNIA,. ‘[Bythinus. ii. Male with the femora:incrassate and the first joint of antennez simple; thorax wider . . II. Thorax not or scarcely punctured, at all ‘events behind. i, Male with the first joint of the antenne produced into a small and indistinct tooth on the inner side, second joint simple, cylindrical. . B. BULBIFER, Reich. ii. Male with the first joint of the antennz cylindrical, second joint dilated. 1. Colour dark chestnut-brown or reddish ; maxillary palpi with the last joint very elongate - « + B. Curtisu, Leach. 2. Colour usually pitchy-brown or black, sometimes reddish-brown ; last joint of maxillary palpi broad, securiform. A. 2nd joint of antennz in male broader than long, securiform ; 1st joint in female one and a half times as long asbroad. . . . B, sEcuRIGER, Reich. B. 2nd joint of antenne in male longer than broad, lunulate, 1st joint in female scarcely longer than broad . és « 9's os Be BURRELL, Denty. B. VALIDuS, Aube B. puncticollis, Denny (Arcopagus puncticollis, Denny). Colour | very variable, entirely chestnut-brown, or reddish, or red with elytra pitchy, or red with elytra and abdomen pitchy ; head narrower than thorax, triangular, with two large fovez between eyes,; antenne ferruginous, rather short and thick, palpi pale with the last joint rather long, dilated inter- nally ; thorax broader than long (in some specimens about as long as broad), broadest before middle, strongly punctured ; elytra and abdomen together short oval, convex, the former longer than together broad, strongly punctured, the latter short ; legs testaceous or reddish, tarsi lighter. L. 14-13 mm. “Male with the two basal joints of the antennz thickened, the first armed with a small dentiform appendage on its internal apex, femora simple, In moss, dead leaves, &c.; local but somewhat widely distributed, and in some localities not uncommon ; London district, not common ; Shirley Mickleham, Cater- ham, Croydon ; Hastings ; Glanvilles Wootton ; Devon ; Midland counties, generally distributed ; common in the Burton-on- Trent district ; Lincoln, rather common ; Northumberland and Durham districts, not uncommon; Scotland, Lowlands and Highlands, not rare, Solway, Tweed, Forth, Clyde, and Dee districts ; ; Ireland, Armagh, B. validus, Aubé. Very like the preceding, but distinguished by the characters of the male, which has the first joint of the antenne slightly shorter and without a dentiform appendage at apex, the femora strongly thickened, and the tibiz robust, the posterior pair being of equal breadth throughout ; the thorax is rather broader in proportion than in the pre- ceding species, and the colour, as a rule, is said to be Byun but this is by no means a reliable character, as it is variable. L. 14 Found under the same circumstances as B. puncticollis, and shel widely distributed, and mixcd with that species in collections ; in Dr. Sharp’s collection there be | ON ee eee a ae Bythinus. | CLAVICORNIA, 91 are specimens from Bishop’s Wood, and Hampstead, as well as from several Scotch localities (Cramond, Corstorphine Hills, Dalmeney Park, Dabton Loch, banks of Nith, &e.); I have specimens from Bretby Wood near Repton. M, Fauvel (Revue d’Entomologie, vol. v., p. 286) says that he possesses specimens from Scotland, and that it is without doubt widely distributed in France, but confounded with B. puncti- collis ; it is evidently the insect referred to by Denny (I. ¢c. p. 26) as the femule of Arcopagus puncticollis, of which he says ‘‘ thighs very thick in the female.” B. bulbifer, Reich. (Arcopagus bulbifer, Denny). Black with the antenne palpi and legs red; head triangular with prominent eyes; antenne with the second joint cylindrical in both sexes, palpi long, with the last joint securiform, broader than in B. Curtisti, but narrower than in B. securiger and B. Burrellii ; thorax shining and finely pubes- cent, about as long as broad ; elytra strongly punctured ; abdomen short, about half as long as elytra ; legs moderate, femora simple in both sexes. L. 14-1} mm. Male with the anterior tibiz armed on their interior side with a minute and indistinct tooth before apex, and the first joint of antennex obsoletely subdentate internally at apex; the difference of the antenne in the sexes is however very slight. . In marshy places, damp places in woods, &c., in moss and dead leaves ; the common- est species of the genus and often abundant where it occurs ; it appears to be generally distributed throughout the greater part of the kingdom; immature specimens are often reddish. : B. Curtisii, Denny (hungaricus, Reitter). Ferruginous-brown or reddish, with the antennz, palpi, and legs lighter; head rather long, antenne robust, palpi with the last joint elongate, dilated internally and secu:iform, thorax a little broader than long, convex, cordate, widest before middle, base narrowed, with an impressed semicircular line ; elytra rather strongly punctured with a somewhat deep sutural stria; abdomen short; legs rather longer in male than in female, femora simple in both sexes, L, 12-14 mm. Male with the clypeus armed with a very small horn or prominence, antenne with the first joint simple, and the second globose with a distinct prominence on its inner side. In rotten beech bark, moss, dead leaves, &c.; local; London distriet, rather common; Chatham, Birch Wood, Cobham, Shirley, Ashtead, Mickleham, Caterham, ° Coombe Wood, Cowley, Amberley, Croydon; Hastings; Glanvilles Wootton ; New Forest; Devon; Midland districts, generally distributed; rarer further north; Ripon ; Northumberland and Durham districts, scarce ; Scotland, rare, Solway district only. B. securiger, Reich. (wnicornis, Aubé). Pitchy-brown, sometimes reddish-brown ; antenne and legs lighter; head subtriangular, deeply punctured, antenne robust, palpi with the last joint Jarge and broad, securiform ; thorax somewhat broader than long, convex obsoletely punc- tured ; elytra thickly punctured, shining, and finely pubescent, with the suture a little elevated and an impressed line on each side ; abdomen short, first two joints with the margin reflexed ; legs moderate, femora and tibiz simple in both sexes. L. 14 mm. 92 OLAVICORNIA. [Bythinus. Male with the first joint of the antenne cylindrical, simple, second joint strongly dilated, broader than long, securiform, with the internal apical angle acute and produced ; female with the first joint one and a half times as long as broad, second joint not narrower than first, sub- quadrate. In moss, dead leaves, &c.; rare; Horsell, near Woking (Power); Bromley, Kent (E. Saunders); Hastings; Glanvilles Wootton; Isle of Wight; Barmouth; Buddon Wood, Leicestershire ; Repton ; Scarborough ; Northumberland district, Ravensworth, and near Gilsland; Scotland, rare, Solway and Tay districts. B. Burrellii, Denny (luniger, Aubé). Very like the preceding but of a pitchy-black or black colour, with the thorax less dilated before middle and more obsoletely punctured ; the palpi much resemble those of the preceding species, but have the last joint a little more rounded at apex ; the species may, however, be at once recognized by the characters of the antenne in the male, the second joint being distinctly longer than broad, and crescent-shaped, with the concave portion of the crescent facing inwards, and both the interior angles acute; in the female the first joint is scarcely longer than the second, subcylindrical, and some- what globose. L. 14-1} mm. In moss, dead leaves, &c.; rare; Faversham, Mickleham, Caterham, Esher, High- gate, Amberley, Birch Wood, Cowley, Bromley, Croydon ; Norfolk; Repton; Ripon; Hartlepool; Scotland, rare, Solway and Clyde districts; Denny (1. e. p. 23) records that the species was first discovered in the latter part of April, 1824, near Lethering- sett, in Norfolk, by the Rev. J. Burrell, after whom he named it ; from the localities above mentioned it is evident that the insect is widely distributed, and this is probably the case with a very large number of our minuter Coleoptera which at present are recorded from only one or two localities ; when a species has occurred in the South of England, the Midland districts, and in Scotland, a fair inference may be drawn as to its occurrence in intermediate localities. BATRISUS, Aubé. This genus contains at present about a hundred species, which are widely distributed over the world ; they differ from Bryawis and its allies in the fact that the tarsi are furnished with two unequal claws, and they have, therefore, been separated off with certain allied genera by some authors as a separate tribe Batrisina ; they are among the most elegant of the Pselaphidw, and most of them are brightly coloured ; they seem, in great part at least, to be found in company with ants; there is only one British species, which is usually considered very rare, but sometimes occurs in considerable numbers in certaia localities. B. venustus; Reich. (piceus, Muls.). Rather elongate, light chest- nut-brown or reddish, with the abdomen pitchy, convex ; head rather large as broad as thorax with two deep furrows, rugosely punctured ; antenn# rather long, last joint large terminating in a point; palpi with the last joint elongate, somewhat fusiform; thorax scarcely longer than broad, broadest before middle, with lateral furrows which appear to Batrisus.] CLAVICORNIA. 93 separate off callose prominences on sides in front, and with fine central furrow, the three furrows terminating in punctures at base, which are situated in a semicircular line; elytra much broader than thorax, convex, broadest behind middle, finely and very obsoletely punctured with an entire sutural stria and a very short dorsal stria, humeral prominences distinct ; abdomen about as long as elytra very finely punctured ; legs red, femora thickened in middle, tibiee thinner at base. L. 2 mm. Male with the last two joints of antenne larger than in-female, the ninth being obliquely truncate at apex, and the intermediate femora with a very minute spinule in middle ; the last ventral segment of abdomen also in this sex is foveolate. In ants’ nests, usually in old trees; also in rotten wood-mould of old oak, ash, and beech trees; local andasarule rare; Ashtead, Surrey (Champion) ; Loughton, Essex ; Birch Wood and Purley Oaks (Power); Barham, Suffolk; New Forest; Bagots Park, Staffordshire, and near Gainsborough (Gorhem) ; Sherwood Forest (Blatch) ; Shrewsbury ; Ripon; I have taken it at Sherwood Forest in a nest of Formica fuli« ginosa in an old tree, and at Ulting, near Maldon, Essex, in an old oak stump with Paromalus, Abreus, &e.; it appears also to oceur with Formica rufa and Lasius brunneus. : RYBAEZIS, Saulcy. This genus, which has until recently been included under Bryazis, comprises a considerable number of species which are widely distributed throughout the world ; it is distinguished from Bryaxis by having the inflexed margin of the elytra longitudinally sulcate, by the sculpture of the thorax, and by the structure of the apex of the elytra in male; in our. species the male has the antenne much longer than in the female ; it was therefore described as a separate species by Denny. RB. sanguinea, L. (longicornis, J Denny). Black or pitchy-black, shining, palpi testaceous, antenne and legs reddish or pitchy-red, elytra bright red with suture, base and apex usually more or less darker; head somewhat narrower than thorax with deep furrows, almost impunctate ; antenne long, fifth joint longer than those contiguous to it; thorax somewhat variable in larger and smaller specimens, but usually much broader than head, broadest before middle, with three equal fovesw at base connected by a furrow; elytra as long as together broad with a sutural and dorsal stria ; abdomen black and shining, first visible dorsal segment longest, with two impressed lines in centre, the margin a little reflexed, apex obtuse ; legs long, slender, and rather compressed, tarsi pale. L. 1$-23 mm. Male with the antennz longer, and with the anterior tibie armed with a small tooth on their inner-side a little below the middle, and sinuated towards apex. Marshy places—in flood refuse, at roots of grass, &.; locally common; Lee, Strood, Sheerness, Snodland, Egham, Claygate; Dagenham, Essex; fen districts of Norfolk and Cambridgeshire, sometimes very abundant ; Kingsgate; Folkestone; 94 OLAVICORNIA. [Bryaxis. Guestling, near Hastings; Portsmouth; Luccomle Chine, Isle of Wight; Devon; not recorded from the Midland or Northern Counties; the only Scotch record “ Raehills, Rev, W. Little;” Murray’s Cat., is probably erroneous; Ireland, near Belfast. BRYAXIS, Leach. This genus in its widest sense includes a large number of species ; more than a hundred are enumerated in the Munich catalogue, and a considerable number have since been described; they appear to be generally distributed throughout the world ; they are, as a rule, black with bright red elytra, or “entirely reddish, but some species are uni- colorous pitchy-brown or blackish ; they are found, like so many of the others of the group, in moss, at “roots of grass, &c., and sometimes are taken abundantly by sweeping; from Batrisus they are distinguished (together with Rybaxis) by the fact that the tarsi have only a single claw, and from Bythinus by the much shorter and less conspicuous maxillary palpi of which the last joint is about as long as the two preceding. I. Thorax at base with three equally large and deep fover. . i. Anterior trochanters of male simple; elytra red, thorax and abdomen reddish or ai dieeel size comparatively large. . . B WaternovseE!, Rye. ii. Anterior trochanters of male 1 more or less strongly toothed. * 1. Colour unicolorous Langackersyiair 3 size eS, tively large . B. Fossunata, Reich. 2. Colour pitchy-black, elytra red or reddish- brown ; ; size smaller. A. Male with first visible segment of abdomen with a tubercle at apex surrounded behind with a semicircular fovea; form broader; abdomen | more closely and distinctly punctured . . B. HELFERI, Schmidt. B. Male with first visible segment of abdomen simple ; form ak abdomen less thickly punctured . B. corus, Sauley. 3. Colour entirely red, "elytra brighter ; male with the apical margin of the first visible dorsal segment dilated “at each side and incised in tue middle . . B. H&2MATICA, Reich. II. Thorax with three fovew at base of which the middle one is extremely small. i. Colour entirely red, elytra brighter ; head and thorax thickly punctured; size smaller. . . B. suncorum, Leach. ii. Colour black, elytra bright red ; head and thorax smooth, very obsoletely panctured ; size larger . . B. IMPRESSA, Panz. B. Waterhousei, Rye (simplex, Wat.). Rather a large and long species, of the size of, R. sanyuinea; lighter or darker pitchy-red cr dark brown with a reddish tinge, with the elytra red, usually darker at margins ; head subtriangular, rather broad ; antenne and palpi pitchy, last joint of the former ovate ; thorax broader than head, much dilated in middle, smooth, with three equally large fovee at base; elytra taken ee ee ee Bryaxis. CLAVICORNIA. 95 together somewhat transverse, widened behind, impunctate ; abdomen longer than elytra, with reflexed margins, first. visible segment very long, simple in both sexes; legs ferruginous or fusco-testaceous, anterior trochanters simple in both sexes. L. 2 mm. Male characters very slight, the sex being only distinguished by a small spine at the apex of the intermediate tibie. Salt marshes at roots of grass, under stones, tidal refuse, &c.; also under stones on or near the shore; local, but sometimes not uncommon where it occurs; Rochester, Rainham. Strood, Southend, Sheerness, Whitstable ; Rye; Newhaven; Portsmouth ; Isle of Wight, Ventnor, Luccombe, Cowes, &c.; Weymouth; it has not occurred further north than the London district. B. fossulata, Reich. (Brachygluta fossulata, Thoms.), This species is easily distinguished from all our others by its colour, which is entirely pitchy-brown or dark chestnut-brown, the elytra being sometimes a little lighter; head narrower than thorax, with large prominent eyes, sub- triangular; antenne and palpi ferruginous, last joint of former large, oval ; thorax shining, smooth, dilated in middle, with three large foveve of equal size at base; elytra nearly quadrate shorter than abdomen ; abdomen with reflexed margin smooth and shining, first visible dorsal segment the largest, simple in both sexes ; legs ferruginous. L. 2 mm. Male with the anterior trochanters with a short tooth, and the anterior and intermediate tibize with short apical spurs. In moss, haystack refuse, &c., and often by sweeping in woods; generally dis- tributed and common in the London, Southern, and Midland districts of England ; rarer further north ; Northumberland district, banks of the Irthing, rare ; Scotland, Lowlands, local in marshes, Solway and Clyde districts; Ireland, Armagh. V. rufescens, Reitter. This variety is more or less rufescent in colour and appears to be very rare; Denny (Il. c. p. 38), records the fact that he has one in his possession: there is also a bright shining black variety (B. aterrima, Reitter), but I do not know whether it occurs in Britain. B. Helferi, Schmidt. Black or pitch-black with the elytra red, darker at margins, antenne, palpi, and legs pitchy, sometimes almost black; form rather short and broad; head large, together with eyes scarcely narrower than thorax ; antenne rather long, last joint large, oval ; thorax slightly broader than long, broadest a little before middle, with three large equal foveve at base ; elytra much broader than thorax, widened towards apex, about as long as together broad, obsoletely punctured ; abdomen shorter than elytra, margined, closely punctured, L. 14-15 mm. Male with the first visible dorsal segment with a tubercle in centre of apex, surrounded behind with a semicircular fovea ; anterior trochan- ters armed with long and very sharp spines, intermediate tibie with long spurs just before apex on their inner side. Salt marshes, in tidal refuse, under stones, &c.; local but sometimes in profusion where it occurs; Gravesend, Whitstable, Chatham, Sheerness, Southend, Strood, 96 CLAVICORNIA. [ Bryaxis. Dulwich ; Walton-on-Naze; Kingsgate ; Bognor, in profusion ; Newhaven ; Hastings ; Shoreham; Portland and neighbourhood, plentiful by sweeping ; Glanvilles Wooton; it appears to be confined to the south-eastern and southern coasts, B. cotus, Saulcy (=B. Lefebvriei, Sharp’s eat. lst ed. nec Aubé). This species very closely resembles the preceding, but is of a somewhat longer and narrower form, and has the abdomen less closely punctured ; it may also be known by the fact that the first visible segment of the abdomen is simple in both sexes and not tuberculate at apex in the male; it is very closely allied to B. Lefebvriei, and the specimens first taken in Britain were referred to that insect. L. 13 mm. On the banks of rivers, very local ; Scotland, Solway district, in sandy places by the Nith and Kew; it appears to be peculiar to Scotland. B. hematica, Reich. (emarginata, Forst.; Brachygluta hematica, Thoms). Entirely rufous, with the palpi reddish-testaceous, elytra brighter; head triangular, smooth and shining, frontal fovex deep ; antennz moderately long, last joint ovate; thorax about as broad as long, smooth and shining, widest before middle, rather gradually narrowed to base, with three large equal basal fovez ; elytra nearly quadrate, scarcely visibly punctured ; abdomen as long as elytra, margined, smooth and shining ; legs reddish, tarsi paler. L, 1¢-2 mm. Male with the trochanters and tibiz simple and the first visible dorsal segment produced in a lobe on each side at apical margin, the space between the lobes being more or less deeply emarginate ; this character is variable, the lobes being sometimes rounded, and sometimes rather sharp; occasionally on the upper surface of each lobe there is a more or less deep fovea, and sometimes the emargination between the lobes is bidenticulate: Aubé has named three varieties as stnuata, perforata, and bidenticulata. Marshy places ; in flood refuse, &c.; local, but occasionally abundant; more fre- quent about the banks of large rivers than elsewhere; Chatham, Barnes, Egham, Staines, Walton-on-Thames; Hastings; Glanvilles Wootton ; New Forest; Barnstaple, Devon (recorded as taken in company with Formica flava and Myrmica rubra) ; Salford Priors ; Tewkesbury ; Hartlebury, Worcestershire ; Repton ; Church Stretton, &e., Cheshire ; Stretford, near Manchester, at roots of trees in winter; banks of Mersey; Northumberland district, banks of the Irthing, rare ; Scotland, very rare ; has only occurred in the Solway district at the estuary of the Nith below New Abbey ; Ireland, Galway (Walker). : B. juncorum, Leach. (Dierobiajuncorum, Thoms.), This insect in colour and general appearance very closely resembles a small specimen of the preceding, but may at once be known by having the central basal fovea of the thorax minute and much smaller than the lateral ones which are large; its general form is shorter and broader in proportion, and the lieadand thorax, especially the latter, are thickly and distinctly punctured ; the elytra and abdomen also are finely punctured, the punctuation being distinctly visible under a high magnifying power; in the male the an- terior trochanters are armed with a short spine and the intermediate ones Bryacis.) CLAVICORNIA. 97 with a larger spine ; in this sex also the anterior tibise are acutely dentate on their inner side before apex, and the intermediate pair are furnished with a spur at apex. L. 1-1} mm. In moss, flood refuse, by sweeping, &e.; generally distributed and common through- out England; recorded as common in the Northumberland district by Bold ; Scotland, Lowlands, in sphagnum, very local, Tweed and Solway districts ; Ireland, near Dublia and Belfast. B. impressa, Panz. (Dierobia impressa, Thoms.). Black or pitch- black, shining, with the elytra bright red, with suture and margins some- times darker, palpi testaceous, antenne and legs pitchy, tibize and tarsi lighter than femora; head and thorax impunctate or almost impunctate, the latter with the central of the three basal fovez minute ; this character will easily distinguish it from all our other species except B. juncorum, from which it may at once be known by its colour; elytra about as long as together broad, hardly visibly punctured; abdomen shorter than elytra, margined, the segments becoming gradually narrower towards apex. L. 14-12 mm. Male with the intermediate cox spinose, trochanters simple, inter- mediate tibize with distinct spurs. In haystack refuse, moss, refuse on the banks of ponds, &c.; local, but. sometimes abundant where it occurs; London district, not common, Lee, Woking, Eltham, Strood, Tottenham, Dagenham; New Forest; Shirley Warren, Southampton; The Holt, Farnham ; Coleshill near Birmingham, in abundance ; Needwood Forest, near Burton-on-Trent ; Askham Bog, York ; not recorded from the Northumberland and Durham districts, and very doubtful as Scottish, the only record being ‘“ Raehills, Rey. W. Little,” Murray’s catalogue. I also feel some little doubt as regards the record from Askham Bog. EUPLECTINA. This tribe, which forms the second great division of our British Pselaphide, contains about fourteen or fifteen European genera of which four are indigenous ; one of these, Bibloporus, has usually been classed with EHuplectus ; they differ from the Pselaphina in having the posterior coxee conical, prominent, and contiguous, and in their more or-less linear form, but this latter character is not so marked in Trichonyx as in our other three genera; the four British genera may be distinguished as follows :— I. Tarsi with two unequal claws . . . . . ... . +» TRICHONYX, Chaud. If. Tarsi with a single claw. i. Abdomen with the first visible dorsal segment of abdomen elongate ; last joint of antennz very large ; form ‘nore cobvex 24...) Jenn Gedetls, SL. wee. Triatiom, anh. ii. Abdomen with the first visible dorsal segment not longer than second ; last joint of antenne moderate; form more depressed. 1. Head distinctly narrower than thorax . . . . . Brsroporus, Thoms. 2. Head not narrower than thorax . . . . . . . Evupxecrus, Leach. VOL. IIL. H 98 OLAVICORNIA, [Trichonyx TRICHONYX, Chaudoir. This genus in its widest sense comprises about eight or nine European species, of which two are British. Reitter, however, has formed a new genus, Amauronyx, to receive T. Maerkelit and three other European ‘species, which differ from Zrichonyz proper in the relative Jength of the abdominal segments ; both our indigenous species are very rare ; they are distinguished from the other members of the tribe Euplectina by the fact that the tarsi have two very unequal claws; the continental genus Fa- ronus, Which is not represented in Britain, has the tarsi furnished with two equal claws, while in Euplectus and its allies the claws are single. The species of Trichonyx are found, as a rule, in company with ants. I. First visible dorsal segment of abdomen elongate, much longer than the second; form narrower and more linear ; elytra obsoletely and not closely punctured . . T. Marrxexit, Aubé, II. First visible dorsal segment not elongate, only slightly longer than second; form broader and less linear ; elytra very closely and finely punctured. . . . . . T. suLoIconyis, Reich. T. Maerkelii, Aubé (Amauronyx Maerkelii, Reitter). Elongate, slightly convex, entirely rufo-testaceous or ferruginous, sparingly pubes- eent ; head as broad as thorax, subtriangular, with deep frontal furrows, eyes not large or prominent ; antenne rather long and robust, penulti- mate joints transverse, last joint large, ovate, subacuminate at apex ; thorax longer than broad, dilated in front, broadest before middle, and narrowed to base, impunctate, with a central channel, and three fovew at base connected by an impressed line ; elytra almost double as long as thorax, obsoletely punctured, with a deep dorsal stria extending beyond middle of disc ; abdomen with the first visible dorsal segment elongate ; legs rather long, reddish testaceous. L. 2 mm. Male with the trochanters of the intermediate legs furnished with a small blunt tooth. In moss, dead leaves, under stones, &c.; usually in company with ants; rare; Mickleham (Champion); Hsher (Power); Seaford, Devon, August, 1865 (Water- house), in company with B. glabratus and a small yellow Myrmica; Guestling near Hastings ; Eastbourne (Waterhouse) ; Sandown, Isle of Wight, April, 1884, where I captured three specimens, in company with ants, under stones (one specimen of B. glabratus occurred at the same time) ; Freshwater (Gorham) ; Scarborough (Lawson); the late Mr. Garneys captured one specimen by sifting dead leaves in winter, I believe in Suffolk, T. sulcicollis, Reich. The largest and finest of our indigenous Pselaphide ; entirely rufescent, moderately shiny, with thick and short yellowish pubescence ; head narrower than thorax, eyes not large, moderately prominent, antennz rather long, all the joints with the exception of the penultimate longer than broad; thorax transverse, Trichonyx.] CLAVICORNIA. 99 widest before middle, scarcely visibly punctured, with three foves at base united by a transverse furrow, elytra much wider at apex than at base, with rather strong reflexed margins, finely and thickly punctured, shoulders prominent, with a deep dorsal stria hardly reaching middle ; abdomen with the first visible dorsal segment scarcely longer than second, with strongly reflexed margins, finely but distinctly punctured ; legs rather long, reddish-testaceous. L. 3 mm. Male with the femora and intermediate tibia somewhat thickened, the latter with a short strong spur at apex, 6th ventral segment of abdomen emarginate, Very rare; .under bark of old elm stumps in company with ants, Lee, Kent: (Douglas and Scott); York (Hutchinson, one specimen); Nettlecomb, Somerset, under oak bark, August, 1866 (Power, one specimen). TRIMIUM, Aubé. This genus contains about a dozen European species, and is also represented in India and North America; it much resembles Huplectus, but is more convex and less linear, the head and thorax being narrower than the elytra and abdomen; two species have been described as British, but they have since been proved to be the sexes of one insect. T. brevicorne, Reich. (2 brevipenne, Chaud.; latipenne, Tourn. ; Chevrieri, Tourn. ; Euplectus brevicornis, Denny, &c.) Elongate, rather convex, varying in colour from reddish-chestnut brown to rufous, very finely pubescent ; head hardly as broad as thorax, very finely punctured, with two short converging frontal furrows ; antennz short and robust, with the last joint very large ; thorax longer than broad, cordiform, with three small equally deep foves at base, which are connected by a fine furrow ; elytra plainly broader than thorax, varying in length according to sex, narrowed in front and widened behind, broadest a little behind middle, with a sutural and dorsal stria, the latter being very short ; abdomen as broad as apex of elytra, parallel-sided, plainly margined, legs moderately long, lighter or darker reddish-testaceous: L. 11 mm. Male usually darker than female, with the thorax and elytra longer, the latter being rather longer taken together than their breadth at apex ; the third ventral segment also of the abdomen is slightly foveate on each side and the anal segment flatly impressed. Female usually lighter with the thorax and elytra shorter, the latter being not quite so long as together broad (7. brevipenne, Chaud.). In moss, dead leaves, &c.; not a rare species in north and middle Europe generally, but extremely local in Britain; Stephens records it as having been taken within the metropolitan district, and in Norfolk, Suffolk and Lincolnshire; the only recent locality that I know of is Scarborough, where it has been taken in some numbers by Messrs. Lawson and Wilkinson. H 2 100 OLAVICORNIA. [ Bibloporus. BIBLOPORUS, Thomson. This genus, separated from Huplectus by Thomson, confains two or~ three European species, which are distinguished by having the head much narrower than the thorax, and by the fact that the basal fovee of the thorax are not united by a transverse furrow; the segments of the ab- domen are subequal in length ; our single species very much resembles E. nigricans at first sight, and is found under the same conditions and in the same localities. B. bicolor, Denny (g/abriculus, Gyll.). Pitch-black or deep black, ‘shining, with the mouth, antenne, and legs reddish-testaceous, head plainly narrower than thorax with deep frontal furrows or fovez ; thorax broader than long, with sides much dilated and rounded in front, and much narrowed behind; elytra considerably broader and longer than thorax, rather convex and dilated, with a short but distinct dorsal stria ; abdomen with depressions at base of first segment of thorax very shallow. L. 1-14 mm. Male with the intermediate femora strongly thickened, and armed with a small sharp spine at base, intermediate tibie dilated in the form of a strong triangular tooth, last ventral segment raised; metasternum channelled in both sexes, but more deeply in male. Under bark of oak, birch, beech, &c. ; local; London district, not common, Chatham, Bexley, Brasted, Sevenoaks, Cobham, Loughton, Bearsted, Hampstead, Highgate, Dean Forest ; Midland districts, locally abundant (Blatch); Bewdley and Sherwood Forests; Cannock Chase; Sutton Park, Birmingham; Hopwas Wood, Tamworth (very abundant under bark of oak-trees infested by Rhagium inquisitor) ; Scotland, under bark of dead birch, rare, Forth, Tay and Dee districts. EUVUPLECTWS, Leach. This is one of the hardest genera in the whole range of the Coleoptera, and the differences are often so minute that it is impossible to know how many species it really contains ; forty-five only are enumerated*in the Munich catalogue, which are widely distributed over the surface of the world, but it is certain that the genus is much more extensive than is at present known ; there are about thirty European species belonging to the genus Huplectus proper ; of these eleven are found in Britain; they are easily known by their very long and quite linear shape, and their very mi- nute size ; they are found in hot-beds, heaps of cut grass, and other vege- table refuse, and some species occur under bark or in rotten wood; they are very sluggish in their movements, and this, coupled with their small size, causes them often to be passed over by collectors unless they are very carefully searched for; their colour is bright rufous or castaneous, or dark pitchy-black ; I have paid considerable attention to this genus, and, in company with Mr. Garneys, of Repton, was fortunate enough to find, Bian — otis Euplectus. | OLAVICORNIA, 101 in June, 1879, the rare species HZ. minutissimus, Aubé, in large numbers in flood refuse at Repton; this species was then unknown to Britain, and rare on the continent; the collector, however, who has in recent years given most work to the British Euplecti, is Mr. W. G. Blatch, whose arrangement I have in the main followed, and to whose valuable monograph on the genus (published in the Entomologists’ Monthly Magazine, for February, 1886) I am much indebted, as "I am also to Mr. G. R. Waterhouse’s monograph which appeared in the Transactions of the Entomological Society, Vol. I., 3rd Series, Part II. The species of Euplectus are distinguished from Trichonyx and the continental genus Faronus by the fact that the tarsi have only a single claw ; the sexual differences, as a rule, are unimportant, but are very marked in one or two cases. I, Abdomen with a more or less sharply defined de- pressed area in the middle of base of the two first visible dorsal segments; dorsal strie on elytra distinct, and reaching more or less nearly to middle. i, Colour lighter, red, or rufo-testaceous. 1. Head with a distinct basal fovea ; length2 mm. E. Kunzerr, Aubéd, 2. Head without any distinct basal fovea ; length less than 2mm. A. Antenne longer; size larger; frontal fur- rows broader. . . E, Dupont, Aubé. B. Antenne shorter ; size mialler; ‘frontal far. rows narrower and more curved . a. Head and thorax more or less strongly punctured throughout; head broader, ‘ a* Thorax less narrowed behind; the two large frontal punctures on the head not situated close to side margins. . . E. punotatus, Mule. b* Thorax more narrowed behind; the two large frontal punctures on the head situated close to the hind margins. . . KE. Kanrsrent, Reich. b. Head punctured only at sides above eyes; thorax not, or scarcely punctured; head narrower . . E. SIGNATUS, Reich. ii. Colour darker, pitchy-black, brownish- red, or cas- taneous. A. Head with a distinct basal fovea. . . . . HE, Nanus, Reich, b. Head without any distinct basal fovea a. Antenne shorter; head longer in proportion to its width (usual habitat in hot-beds and decaying grass heaps). . E. SANGUINEUS, Denny. b. Antenne longer; head shorter in proportion to its width ; (usual habitat under bark and in decaying wood) . MLE ren Let) ake og tee E. picevs, Mots. (nigricans, Chaud.) II. Abdomen without any distinct depressed area at the base of the first two visible dorsal segments; dorsal stri# on elytra very short or entirely absent. i. Elytra with short dorsal striw; colour rufo-tes- taceous; length 1j-1, mm... . .. . + E. NUBIGENA, Reitler. 102 CLAWICORNIA. [ Euplectus. ii, Elytra without dorsal strize ; length not exceeding 1 mm. 1, Colour pitch-brown; form broader; elytra almost impunctate; female with apex of abdomen simple! 6 sm 2 5 so ue ls vise 2. Colour rufous or rufo-castaneous; form narrower and more linear; elytra plaialy punctured; apex of abdomen in female armed with a long pointed process. . . « - « + + « « « E, MINUTISSIMU3, Aubé, -~- B. Kunzei, Aubé (Albcillei, Saulcy?), The largest of our species ; tufo-testaceous, with the elytra sometimes lighter; finely pubescent ; head large, broader than thorax, with the sides rounded behind eyes which are small, vertex with a distinct fovea; antennee moderately long, thorax cordate, about as broad as long, with three fovexr at base, con- nected by a deep transverse furrow, the central of which is the smallest ; elytra together longer than broad, impunctate ; abdomen broad and sub- depressed, the two first visible dorsal segments each with a depressed area in the middle of base, the area being bounded on each side by a slender groove, which grooves are not parallel, but diverge towards apex. L. 2 mm. Male with the 5th ventral segment of abdomen with an oblong im- pression in middle of base, 6th segment widely emarginate at apex, and bearing on each side a tubercle tufted with long whitish hairs, abdomen with sides clothed with rather long hairs, KE. AMBIGuUS, Reich. In moss, dead leaves, &c.; rare; Esher (Power); Sevenoaks, Caterham, Dorking, Shirley (Champion); Greenhithe, Wandsworth and Hampstead (Waterhouse ; - Darenth Wood (Power and Waterhouse; Mr. Waterhouse’s specimen occurred in the sawdust of a recently felled oak); Bearsted (Gorham); Cobham Park ; Birdbrook (Power). Dr. Sharp possesses two specimens of a uplectus from Mickleham, which were named by M. de Sauley Z. Abeillei (apparently a new species, as it is mentioned in the European catalogue as from Britain alone) ; these specimens must, I think, be referred to L. Kunzei. E. Duponti; Aubé. Rather a large and depressed rufo-testaceous species with the head broad at the sides ; the head is rather smaller than in EL. Kunzet, and is more contracted and rounded behind the eyes, which are a little more prominent; head, thorax, and elytra almost impunc- fate in male, punctured in female; antennae longer than in the following species ; thorax at broadest somewhat broader than long, with a central cuannel, and with the three fovee at base connected by a rudi- mentary groove; elytra longer than together broad with the dorsal strie nearly reaching middle; abdomen with depressions at base of first segment feebler than n the preceding species and with the grooves at each side parallel-sided ; legs stouter, with all the tibie armed with a small spurat apex. L. 13mm. Male more shining than female, with the head only punctured at the = i Cet. 7 Oe Euplectus.] CLAVICORNIA. 103 sides, and thorax and elytra almost impunetate ; female duller, with the head thickly and plainly, and the thorax and elytra moderately thickly, punctured; in the male the last ventral segment of the abdomen is transversely depressed. In rotten bark of beech, &c.; very rare; Scarborough (R. Lawson, who first cap- tured the species in Britain) ; Strood (J. J. Walker in company with B. bicolor). E. punctatus, Muls. Rufo-testaceous, with antenne and legs lighter ; head large, but rather short (being double as broad, including the eyes, as the length from the front margin of forehead to the margin of vertex), thickly punctured, very wide across the eyes, the forehead being strongly transverse, frontal furrows obsolete ; thorax scarcely nar- rower than the head, and more finely punctured, although the punctuation is rather close and distinct; dorsal furrow plain, often reaching the basal fovea ; elytra very finely and scarcely visibly punctured, longer than together broad ; abdomen narrower than elytra with basal depressions on first segments narrow and feeble. L, 12-1} mm. Male with the penultimate ventral segment of abdomen broadly emarginate at apex, and narrow in middle, last segment strongly foveo- late ; in this sex also the intermediate tibice are furnished with a spur at apex; in the female the last ventral segment is feebly foveolate. In rotten wood under bark ; it is also said to occur under dead leaves; rare, and almost entirely confined to the Midlands; Sherwood Forest (in some numbers) ; Dean and Bewdley Forests; Cannock Chase; Knowle; Salford Priors, Warwickshire ; ha oan near Repton; I also have records from Ashtead, Surrey, and from the ew forest, E. Karsteni, Reich. Very like the preceding, with the same short broad head, and with the head and thorax punctured, the former, however, not so distinctly as in LZ. punctatus; the forehead, however, is less strongly transverse than in the latter species, and has the two large frontal punctures placed close to the side margin, a character which, as Mr. Blatch points out, is apparently peculiar to the species ; the thorax is much more strongly narrowed towards base, and the male characters are different ; this species is often mixed with Z. signatus in collections, with which it is often taken in company, but this latter species may easily be distinguished by its longer and narrower head (which is hardly as broad as thorax), and by having the head punctured only at the sides, and the thorax almost impunctate. L. 1-14 mm. Male with the fourth ventral segment of abdomen foveolate on both sides, and the space between bisinuate; fifth, transversely foveolate ; sixth, widely emarginate at apex ; anal segment with two or three more or less obsolete fovez. Tn haystack refuse, cut grass, dung-heaps, &c.; it also sometimes occurs under the bark of dead trees; Strood, Caterham, Mickleham, Ashtead, Shirley, Wandsworth, Putney, Loughton, Cobham Park, Twickenham, Esher, &c.; Glanvilles Wootton ; 104 CLAVICORNIA, [ Euplectus Midland Counties, generally distributed, Birmingham district, Sherwood and Bewdley Forests, Repton, Cannock Chase, &c.; Scotland, rare, Forth district only; Lreland, near Dublin; it appears to be widely distributed but never very common.* E. signatus, Reich. Rufo-testaceous, with the head not broader than the thorax, and longer in proportion than in E. Karstent, from which species it is, however, distinguished by its punctuation, and by having the two large frontal punctures situated at some little distance from the margins ; the depressions of the abdomen’ are deeper ; it is most closely allied to E. sanguineus, from which it only differs in its colour, its rather smaller size, and in having the lateral thoracic fovex a little shallower. L. 1-14.mm. Male with the penultimate ventral segment foveolate in the middle, and furnished on each side of the fovea with a sharp tubercle ; inter- mediate tibize with a small spur at apex. In moss, haystack and vegetable refuse, cut grass, dung-heaps, &c.; rarely under bark, and in ants’ nests ; local, but common in some districts ; London district, rather common; Hastings, and probably the South Coast generally; Falmouth; Midland districts generally distributed ; it used to be very common in my hot-bed at Repton ; Mr. Blatch records the occurrence of two specimens under bark in Sherwood Forest ; Scotland, rare, in nests of the wood ant, Tweed, Forth, and Moray districts ; this and other species are probably much more widely distributed than is at present known, as the Euplecti have been systematically neglected by many collectors owing to the difficulty of their determination. E. nanus, Reich. (Reichenbachi, Denny ; Kirbyi, Denny). Colour rather variable, pitchy-castaneous, or reddish-brown, often with the front parts pitchy and the abdomen reddish, antennw and legs lighter ; occasionally the elytra only are dark and the rest of the body red ; pubescence rather long; upper surface finely punctured throughout ; head as broad as thorax, with a distinct. basal. fovea (a character which will separate it from all its near allies), frontal furrows deep, converging, but variable, sometimes taking the form of a Y and sometimes of a U ; thorax a little broader than long at its widest; elytra broader than thorax, somewhat longer than together broad, usually with a distinct short stria at base between the dorsal and sutural strise ; basal depres- sions of first segments of abdomen distinct, their sides very divergent. L. 11-1} mm. Male with the penultimate ventral segment with four obsolete foveee near base, with a larger transverse fovea in the centre, anal segment obsoletely fuveolate ; intermediate tibie with a distinct spur . at apex. In haystack and vegetable refuse; also under bark; local; Shirley, Lee, Esher, Cowley ; Glanvilles Wootton; Windsor; Tamworth; Birmingham; Bewdley; Can- nock Chase; Sherwood Forest ; Northumberland district, common (Bold). According * Mr. Waterhouse (1. c. p. 6) mentions the capture of an unusually large example of this species near a nest of Formica fuliginosa. ——— _— : ‘ " , - i a a ee Pee, Seine ee ie i ie aie Euplectus.] CLAVICORNIA., 105 to Mr. Waterhouse it is common near London, but Mr. Champion speaks of it as rare in the London district. Mr. Blatch says that he has met with it in some numbers in Sherwood Forest under bark of fallen trees. E. Kirbyi is only a form of this species, which has been chiefly separated on the ground that the frontal furrows converge strongly, whereas in FH. nanus they are parallel; there is, however, no real difference between the insects, as the frontal furrows are very variable, and specimens may be found that are intermediate as regards their formation. . nanus is variable both in size, colour, and sculpture. E. sanguineus, Denny. In structure this species most closely resembles H. signatus, and is only distinguished from that species by its black or pitchy-black colour and rather larger size, and by having the lateral basal fovex of the thorax a little deeper ; immature specimens are often found, which cause great confusion, as they are entirely red in colour; in general appearance Z. sunguineus closely resembles E£. nigri- cans, but it may easily be known from this species by its shorter antenne ; the head, moreover, is not so short in proportion to its width ; the antenne and legs are ferruginous or reddish-testaceous. L. 12-15 mn. Male with the penultimate ventral segment furnished with a large deep fovea in the middle, on each side of which there is a minute tubercle. ‘ In haystack and vegetable refuse, dung-heaps; hot-beds, &c.; very rarely under decaying logs or bark; rather common and generally distributed in the London, Southern, and Midland districts; York; Manchester; Withington, Cheshire; Scot- land, rare, in decaying hay, Solway district only. E. piceus, Mots. (nigricans, Chaud.; Dennti, Wat.; sulcatulus, Saulcy). Pitchy-black, shining, antenne, palpi, and legs reddish-tes- taceous, very rarely pitchy; head as broad as thorax, sparingly and finely punctured on disc, strongly and thickly at the sides, rounded and narrowed behind eyes; antenne rather long; thorax very feebly punc- tured, rather broader than long; elytra plainly broader than head and thorax, a little longer than together broad, scarcely punctured, dorsal stria reaching middle; abdomen with basal depressions broad and shallow. L. 1j-l4mm. Male with the posterior femora thickened, metasternum channelled and bearing a blunt tubercle on each side; fourth ventral segment of abdomen somewhat produced and bisinuate in middle of apical margin ; fifth, tuberculate on each side at base ; sixth, with a transverse furrow at base, emarginate at apex; in the female the metasternum is feebly channelled. Under bark and in decaying wood ; very rarely in hot-beds; London district, not common, but rather widely distributed ; Darenth Wood, St. Mary Cray, Chatham, Hawkhurst, Forest Hill, &c.; Loughton, and Ulting, near Maldon, Essex ; The Holt, 106 CLAVICORNIA, [Luplectus. Farnham ; Parkhurst Forest, Isle of Wight, in nests of F. rufa; New Forest; Mid- land districts, common in many localities, Birmingham (Sutton Park, &.), Tam- worth, Cannock Chase, Bewdley and Sherwood Forests, &c.; it has not, however, been recorded from the northern counties or from Scotland. E. nubigena, Reitter. Narrow and elongate, rufo-testaceous, shining, almost impunctate, with fine and scanty pubescence, which is longer at the apex of the abdomen than on the rest of the body ; head rather large, with two small deep punctures at base, from each of which proceeds a furrow ; these unite in front, forming an inverted YJ enclosing a smooth and shining area; antenne rather long and slender; thorax about as broad as long, rounded in front, much narrowed behind, with three fovez at base, the lateral ones small, and the central one crescent- shaped, discoidal fovea very small; elytra long, narrowed at base, dorsal strize deep, but very short; abdomen elongate, with no trace of depressions at base of first segments; legs clear testaceous. L. 13-13 mm. Male with the ventral segments of abdomen longitudinally suleate in middle, anal segment with a longitudinal keel. Under bark of beech and oak logs; discovered by Mr. Blatch in Sherwood Forest in May, 1884, and again captured by him in September, 1885 ; it occurs on the Con- tinent in the mountainous parts of Hungary, in the Caucasus, &e. HE. ambiguus, Reich. A small, narrow, somewhat depressed species, pitchy-brown, with the antenne, palpi, and legs testaceous, clothed with fine grey pubescence ; head as broad as thorax with strongly impressed converging furrows, antenne rather slender; thorax about as long as broad, not strongly narrowed behind, with three deep basal fovez con- nected by a fine and rather deep furrow ; elytra broader than thorax, much longer than together broad, almost impunctate, with a deep sutural stria, and without dorsal strise, but with short, more or less elongate, fovez at base ; abdomen parallel, without depressed area at the base of the front segment. L. 1mm, Male with a spur at apex of intermediate tibie, characters of the abdominal segment unimportant. Marshy places; at roots of grass, &c. ; occasionally in haystacks and other refuse; local, but sometimes not uncommon in some places; Lee, Wimbledon, Eltham, Sheer- ness, Weybridge, Bromley, Walton-on-Thames; Tewkesbury (in moss stripped from poplar trunks after a flood); Horning Fen and other fen localties in refuse, and also by beating or sweeping reeds in hot weather. Scotland, Lowlands, rare, in moss, Solway district only; it probably occurs in many other localities. &. minutissimus, Aubé (Garneysi, Fowler). Linear, elongate, very narrow, much depressed, castaneous, shining, sparingly clothed with short hairs; head rather large, triangular, obtuse in front, moderately punctured, with two deep foveze between eyes joined by a longitudinal furrow to two smaller fove situated above the epistoma, antenne robust ; thorax small, rounded at base, narrower than the head, with three deep equidistant fovee at base, connected by a straight line; elytra con- — nr’ ee a Oe Ce ee ee Euplectus.] CLAVICORNIA. 107 siderably longer than together broad, parallel-sided, distinctly punc- tured, with sutural stria and fovese much as in the preceding species ; abdomen long, widely and very deeply margined; legs testaceous, long and slender. L. }-% mm. Male with the apical ventral segment marked throughout its length with three lines, of which the central is the deepest ; the latter is deeply grooved on each side, and the lateral lines are incurved at apex ; the penultimate segment is depressed deeply at apex, the depression corre- sponding with the depressed portion of the apical segment; the inner side of the intermediate tibiee is prolonged beyond the articulation of the tarsus, and curved inwardly in the shape of a hook. Female with the apical segment produced into a long aculeate spine. This rare species was taken by Mr. Garneys and myself in large numbers in flood refuse from the Trent near Repton in June, 1879; it has not occurred before or since in Britain, and is rare on the continent ; it is extremely sluggish, ‘and may very easily be passed over ; even with the flood refuse on a dish before me I found it very hard to find, although it was present in numbers ; for a more detailed account of the species the student is referred to the Entomologist’s Monthly Magazine, xvi. pp. 158, 159. TRICHOPTERYGIDZ. This family comprises the smallest known species of all the Coleoptera: owing to their minute size and the difficulty of determining the species they have usually been much neglected ; the Monograph, however, of the family published by. the Rev. A. Matthews, is most complete, and by the aid of the figures and descriptions there given, many of the diffi- culties are very much diminished ; the chief character of the family lies in the wings, which are very long and narrow, and consist of a horny peduncle from which proceeds a long slip of membrane which is fur- nished on both sides with very long and thickly set hairs; hence the name of ‘“Trichopterygide,” or “‘hair-winged;” the antenne are long and slender, and usually verti cillate-pilose, with the two basal joints large and stout, and the three apical joints forming a more or less distinct club; the maxillary palpi have the penultimate joint much inflated, and the last joint small and more or less acicular: the mandibles are very curious, the outer-side being furnished with transverse ribs like the cogs of a _ wheel ; these are used for mastication, the insect having the power of seizing its prey (which consists of very minute insects), with the sharp points of the mandibles, and then turning these latter inwards until their backs meet, when the cogged processes act upon each other, and first crush and then grind the food between them (Matthews, Trichopt. Ill. p. 43) ; the elytra are sometimes entire, sometimes truncate, and together with the thorax are comparatively seldom punctured, the sculpture usually taking the form of asperate raised points, as in a rasp; the abdomen is usually composed above of nine segments, the ventral por- Me at 108 CLAVICORNIA. [ Trichopterygina. tion consisting of six or seven segments ; the legs are moderate, short in some genera, with 3-jointed tarsi, the last joint terminating in two equal claws. The Trichopterygide are known already to comprise a considerable number of genera (twenty-one are enumerated by Mr. Matthews, and others have been described by him), and a large number of species; as, however, fresh representatives are perpetually being found in every quarter of the world in which they are looked for, it is most probable that the genus is one of the most extensive and most widely distributed of all the Coleoptera. The larve of Trichopteryx, Pleryx, and Ptinella (the only genera known in that state) are stated by Mr. Matthews to resemble each other so closely that one de- scription is sufficient to characterize all of them; in his Monograph the larva of Plinella is described on page 50, and figured Pl. I. figs. a. b. ; it is slender and elon- gate, almost moniliform, transparent and crystalline in appearance ; the head is large, subtriangular, with prominent eyes; antenne short, last joint furnished with long sete ; the segments are of about equal breadth, the abdominal ones being all fur- nished with a strong short seta on each side; last segment large, bearing two cerci terminated by long setz : legs short, tarsi formed apparently of one joint terminated by a single claw. The family may be divided naturally into the two following tribes :— I. Elytra truncate. . ». +6 » « «.5 « + 3 + « » +» JTBIOHOPTERYGINA. 1i. Elytra not truncate’ =. 9). Pou. a oe Peas TRICHOPTERYGINA. This tribe contains eight European genera, all of which, except Astatopteryx are represented in Britain; some authors still consider Beocrara, Thoms., formed to include 7’. variolosa, to be distinct, but it only differs from Trichopteryx in sculpture, and cannot with good reason be separated on that point alone. In the following tables and descriptions Iam much indebted to Mr. Matthews for his kind help, extending over a period of several years, during which I have taken a considerable number of the rarer species belonging to the family ; at the same time it must be admitted that no very satisfactory tables can be drawn up, and that in some of the genera, more especially in Z'richopteryx, it is extremely difficult to determine the more closely allied species from descriptions, and that long practice and comparison with authentic types is the only method by which anything like accuracy can be arrived at in this most difficult group; the difficulties are increased by the fact that the colours, espe- cially of the antenne, appear to alter to a greater or:less extent after death, unless very great care is taken with regard to preserving and setting the insects. I. Thorax not contracted or constricted behind. i, Abdomen with seven free ventral segments. “iy Trichopterygina. | CLAVICORNIA., 109 1. Thorax moderately dilated ; hind coxa moderately distant ; posterior margin of metasternum not produced into points. . Preryx, Matth, 2. Thorax strongly dilated ; hind coxee , widely distant, posterior margin of metasternum produced into two sharp points between the cox . . . . . AOTINOPTERYX, Matth, ii. Abdomen with six free ventral segments . . . . TRicHoPrERYX, Kirby. ne Thorax constricted behind. i, Elytra short; mesosternum not carinate; intermediate _ coxee approximate; colour pale. . . Prinewua, Mots. i. Elytra long; mesosternum carinate ; intermediate coxe distant; colour dark. . Smicrvus, Matth. it Thorax gradually contracted behind, not constricted, i. Elytra long, posterior coxee simple. . . . . . Mtcroprinium, Math. ii, Elytra short, posterior-coxe laminate. . . . . . NEPHANES, Thoms. PTERYX, Matthews. This genus comprises one European species which is found rather commonly in many localities under bark and in rotten wood; a few other species have been described from North America. P. suturalis, Heer. (mutabilis, Matth. ; bicolor, Mots.). Oval, con- vex, rather shiny ; colour very variable, reddish, or castaneous, or with the elytra reddish and the head and thorax almost black, sometimes with the apex of the elytra alone dark ; head rather prominent ; thorax transverse, broadest at base, deeply and very closely tuberculate ; elytra rather remotely asperate, with the apices strongly rounded; legs and antenne rather long, yellow. L. $-4 mm. In rotten wood, under bark, sometimes in moss; not uncommon in some localities, and probably very widely distributed ; Surrey ; New Forest; Dean Forest ; Midland ‘district, general; Lincoln (under bark ‘of dead fir) ; Scarborough ; ; Scotland, rare, under bark of dead fir; Tay and Moray districts (Sharp) ; Balmuto, Fifeshire (Power,) ACTINOPTERYX, Matthews. This genus was founded by Mr. Matthews to. include the single species T. fucicola of Allibert; it is distinguished from Pteryx ‘by having the thorax strongly dilated, and from Trichopteryx by having seven free ventral segments, and from both by the fact that the meta- sternum is produced into two sharp points between the coxe; our single species is rather widely distributed on the southern coasts of Europe, and also on the shores of North Africa and the Atlantic islands, but until recently has been considered very rare in Britain. A. fucicola, All. (mollis, Hal. ; dilaticollis, Mots. ; marinum, Mots.). Fuscous, rather depressed, thickly clothed with short white silky pubes- cence ; head large and broad with prominent eyes; thorax large, strongly 110 CLAVICORNIA. [ Actinopterys. dilated, broadest before base, alutaceous and not tuberculate, posterior angles strongly produced and acute; elytra considerably narrowed be- hind, scarcely rounded at apex, very closely asperate ; legs and antennz long and slender, clear yellow. L. $-4 mm. Under seaweed on the coast; first taken by Mr. Haliday in Ireland ; it has recently been found in profusion at Kingsgate by Mr. 'T. Wood, in company with Actidium coarctatum, and also at Margate. In the summer of 1886 I found it at Broadstairs, and it has been taken at Weymouth; it is probably more widely distributed on the south-eastern and southern coasts than is at present known, but I have never found it in the Isle of Wight, although I have searched for it. The species is very easily recognized by its habitat, shape, and thick whitish pubescence, PTINELLA, Motschulsky. About a dozen species have been described of this genus from Europe, America, and the Atlantic Islands, and one has comparatively recently been found in New Zealand, so that the range of the genus is pro- bably very extensive; they are easily recognized by their narrow form and short elytra, and as a rule by their very light colour; they appear to live only under bark of dead trees, especially beech, fir, oak, and birch. I. Abdomen broader with apex obtuse. i. Thorax scarcely rounded in front, hardly constricted behind, head elongate . ee Say KY ee kc ii. Thorax plainly rounded in front, constricted behind, head rounded. 1. Elytra broadest at middle. A. ‘Thorax more strongly constricted behind; form 1 ee eres Tees ee B. Thorax less strongly constricted behind; form broader .. 60 se. hie gobo S REM nge Gk DRNTTOOLEID, aren, 2. Elytra broadest atapex . . . . . © « « « P. Manta, Matth. Ii. Abdomen narrower, with apex acuminate. i. Thorax feebly constricted behind; elytra rather long . P. APTERA, Guer. ii. Thorax strongly constricted behind. 1. Elytra longer; thorax considerably shorter than head 6 a)’ 3: erties sis e ke, ae eg 2 eee ee 2. Elytra very short; thorax hardly shorter than , head? fo. 8 Bee Lah be Iya el gee ta nial ey terre ACRE P. BRITTANICA, Matth. P. TEstacEA, Heer. P. TENELLA, Er. P. testacea, Heer. (Proteus, Matth.; 2 limbata, Heer.). Elongate, rather obtuse, moderately convex, yellow, sparingly clothed with pale hairs ; head large, rather elongate, rounded in front, eyes rather variable, » antennz long and slender, pale yellow, with the two basal joints very large ; thorax moderate, a little broader, but scarcely longer, than head, broadest before middle, with the sides slightly margined, strongly rounded in front and constricted behind, closely and finely tuberculate, posterior angles very acute and prominent ; elytra not dilated behind, widest at middle, rather finely and remotely asperate, apices strongly —— Se ee le (ie ee es ee > Ptinella.| CLAVICORNIA, 11] rounded, with two more less defined darker bands in the female which meet near base ; abdomen elongate, with five segments uncovered, obtuse ; legs long, pale yellow. L. 7-1 mm. Under bark of dead beech; taken in great abundance by Rev. A. Matthews in Sherwood Forest, and also by Mr. Blatch in Sherwood Forest and Dean Forest, and on Cannock Chase ; Mr. Wollaston has also taken it in the Canary Islands. P. Maria, Matth. Broad, depressed, reddish-yellow, sparingly clothed with short pale hairs; head rather small, a little narrower than thorax, eyes rather variable, antennz pale yellow, rather short ; thorax broad, widest in middle, with the sides margined and rounded, and feebly constricted behind, posterior angles not prominent, finely and closely tuberculate ; scutellum small ; elytra longer and much broader than head and thorax, dilated behind, broadest at apex, rather deeply and not very closely asperate in irregular transverse rows; abdomen broad and very obtuse with five segments uncovered ; legs pale yellow. L. 2 mm. Very rare; one example taken by Mr. Matthews under bark of dead Pinus sylvestris at Bakewell, Derbyshire; it has also once been taken by Mr. Crotch. This species may be known by its broader form, and by having the thorax feebly constricted behind with the posterior angles nearly right angles, and also by the sculpture of the elytra, which are dilated and broadest behind. The female has the elytra suffused with darker colour which takes the appearance of two almost parallel bands joined at base. P. denticollis, Fairm. (2 punctipennis, Fairm.). Depressed, pale yellow, rather thickly clothed with golden hairs ; head broad and short, eyes variable, antenne pale yellow ; thorax broad, widest at middle, with sides rounded in front, and moderately constricted behind; posterior angles strongly acute, prominent, moderately strongly tuberculate ; scu- tellum rather large; elytra a little longer than head and thorax, oval, with sides rounded, deeply and very remotely asperate, interstices feebly asperate, apices not strongly rounded; abdomen with five segments un- covered ; legs pale yellow. L. 2 mm. Under dead bark of various trees, especially poplars, mountain ash, willow, &c. ; local; Sherwood Forest ; Cambridgeshire ; Middlesex; Mr. Blatch has taken it in numbers in various places, Yardley, Sutton and Knowle, near Birmingham, Hopwas Wood, Tamworth, Bewdley, Needwood Forest, and Sherwood Forest. The females have two bands of darker colour on the elytra, which meet behind ; these are sometimes indistinct, and the colour is occasionally spread over the whole elytra. P. britannica, Matth. Elongate oval, rather convex, head and thorax castaneous, elytra rufo-testaceous, rather thickly clothed with short pale hairs ; head large, elongate, obtuse in front, eyes small, antenne rather long, clear yellow ; thorax a little longer and broader than head, broadest 112 CLAVICORNIA. [ Ptinellu.. at middle, with sides strongly margined, slightly rounded in front and contracted behind, posterior angles nearly right, angles, closely and rather deeply tuberculate ; scutellum short; elytra rather long, con- tracted at apex, with sides rounded and margined, very closely and some- what deeply asperate in transverse rows, apices scarcely rounded ; abdomen rufo-testaceous, with five segments uncovered, very obtuse ; legs long and stout, yellow ; under-side rufo-testaceous. L. § mm. Very rare; one specimen taken by Mr. Matthews running on the back of a slug, Limax maximus, near Weston, Oxfordshire, the probable habitat of which was under apple bark; a second has occurred near Vincennes, France. The specimens that have been taken have a transverse impression at base and a smaller oval one on disc-at each side: these impressions are, however, variable in the Trichopterygide,. The species may be distinguished by the shape of the head and thorax, the long elytra, and also by the sculpture and colour. P. aptera, Guer. (¢ Ratisbonensis, Gyll.; v.? pallida, Er.). Smaller than any of the preceding, elongate, oval, rather depressed, clear yellow, clothed somewhat thickly with rather long pale hairs ; head rather large, strongly rounded in front, eyes rather large and prominent, or altogether absent; thorax a little longer and broader than head, broadest at middle, with sides slightly margined, moderately rounded in front, and feebly constricted behind, with posterior angles almost right angles, not prominent, thickly and finely tuberculate ; scutellum rather sniall; elytra oval, longer and broader than head and thorax, deeply and closely asperate in transverse rows, apices strongly rounded ; abdomen elongate, with five segments uncovered, acuminate at apex ; legs pale yellow. L. 3—? mm. Under bark of dead trees and in decaying wood ; Chatham ; Mickleham ; Sevenoaks ; Cobham ; Bearsted; New Forest ; Salford Priors; Cannock Chase ; Sherwood Forest. In the females the elytra have two darker bands which meet behind ; these, however, are variable and sometimes absent; occasionally the dark colour is spread over the whole elytra. P. pallidum is distinguished from this species by Erichson by its narrower form, thicker pubescence, less strongly rounded sides of thorax, and less obtuse posterior angles of the same, P. angustula (9 gracilis, Gyll.). This species somewhat resembles the preceding, but may be easily distinguished by its shorter. head and longer thorax, which is strongly constricted behind, and especially by its very short elytra, which leave six segments of the abdomen uncovered ; the abdomen is acuminate at apex, and is furnished at the sides with long sete ; the sculpture of the thorax is rather deeper, and of the elytra more remote ; in the female there is a single dark band of a darker colour on each elytron. L. 3—-} mm. a «er ee ——=<“ ee UA . . ee le ane ae gh Age Ptinella.] OLAVICORNIA. 113 Under bark of various dead trees, often in company with P. aptera, locally com- mon; Sherwood Forest; Sutton near Birmingham; Solihull; Salford Priors; Cannock Chase; Windsor; Wicken Fen. P. tenella, Er, (? microscopica, Waltl.) Elongate, very narrow, pale yellow, clothed with short pale hairs ; head large, elongate in front, eyes (at all events in the female) very large, antenne rather long, pale yellow ; thorax very short, much shorter than head, with sides rounded in front, and strongly constricted behind, posterior angles prominent, very acute, extremely finely tuberculate ; elytra long and narrow, much longer than head and thorax, with sides scarcely rounded, very finely asperate in remote transverse rows, apices strongly rounded, with a lon- gitudinal band of darker colour in the female; legs rather long, pale yellow. L. $mm. Very rare; one example has been taken by Mrs. Matthews under bark of dead oak in Sherwood Forest; it is very rare on the Continent. The species may be known by its very short thorax, which is strongly constricted behind, long elytra, and fixie sculpture. TRICHOPTERYX, Kirby. This genus contains a very large number of species ; seventy-four are enumerated by Mr. Matthews in his monograph, but a considerable number have since been described from Central America and other parts of the world, and the genus is so widely distributed that it is probable that only a small fraction of the existing species are at present known, as very few col- lectors trouble themselves to look for them ; they are distinguished by not having the thorax constricted behind and by the fact that the abdomen has six free ventral segments ; they are very rapid in their movements and run with a swift jerky motion very different from that of Ptenidiuwm and Ptilium, there are thirty-nine British species at present known, which in many instances are exceedingly closely allied, and require the greatest care in their determination ; they may be roughly divided as follows, but, as above stated, no really satisfactory table can be formed ; the colour, for instance, is in many cases a very important point, but immature specimens of the black species are sometimes reddish or brownish ; Mr. Matthews and I once found a large number of a brownish-looking Trichopteryx in faggots in Sherwood Forest, which we thought at first _ must be a good species, but they turned out to be very slightly immature 7. fascicularis ; the only way to work the genus is first to separate those that seem at all differently formed by a simple Codding- ton or Browning’s platyscopic lens, and then to compare them carefully with authentic specimens of the species to which they seem to belong under a compound microscope, with a rotating stage, as the asperate sculpture presents a very different appearance in different lights. The species are chiefly found in hot-beds, haystack refuse, dead leaves, VOL, III, ° I 114 CLAVICORNIA. [ Trichopteryx. moss, &c.; a few occur under bark or in rotten wood ; a species found under these latter conditions is nearly always.a rare one. I. Thorax finely margined ; sculpture tuberculate. i. Thorax evidently broader than elytra. 1. Posterior angles of thorax plainly produced, A. Head and thorax black, elytra rufescent . . T. Sara, Matth. B. Upper surface entirely castaneous; form rather narrow . . . T, Cuampionis, Math. C. Head and thorax black ; “elytra fusco- -piceous. a, Elytra shorter ; thorax broadest in middle. T. THORACICA, Waltl. b. Elytra longer. : a*, Thorax distinctly broadest at base. at. Antenne yellow, longer. . . . . TT. ATOMARIA, De Geer. bt. Antenne blackish, shorter. . .. T. BREVICORNIS, Mots. b*, Thorax about as broad at base as in middle. . . T D. Upper surface entirely ‘deep black. a. Sides of body with long outstanding sete. T b. Sides of body without outstanding sete. a*, Antenne and legs pitch-black. at. Posterior angles of thorax much pro- . CONVEXIUSCULA, Mots, . GRANDICOLLIS, Mannh. duced and curved. . T, FRATERCULA, Matth. bt. Posterior angles of thorax not much produced . . . . . T, Larrria, Matth. b*. Legs lighter or darker sallow, at. Antenne pitch-black. at. Antenne short. . . . . . . QT. ANTHRACINA, Matth. bt. Antenne long . T. ATTENUATA, Gy/ll. b+. Antenne more or less obscurely yel- low. at. Elytra broad, parallel-sided . . . T. Lata, Mots. by. Elytra more or less narrowed towards apex. *, Thorax very shiny ; elytra dull . T. seMINITENS, Matth. **, Thorax not much more shiny than elytra. }. Elytra longer; size larger; mouth organs yellow . . TT. FAsctcutaris, Herbst. Tt. Elytra shorter ; size smaller; mouth oreo pitchy .. T. CARBONARIA, Mutth. 2. Posterior angles of thorax not much produced. A. Colour griscous-brown: elytra pot than broad, dilated at the middle; T. Evirara, Matth. B. Colour fuscous; elytra quadrate, parallel- ne! Se eae T. FuscuLa, Matth. ii. Thorax scarcely, or not at all, broader than ‘elytra, 1, Antenne black or pitchy-black, A. Antenne with eighth joint incrassate . . T. PICICORNIS, Mannh. B. Antenne with eighth joint not incrassate, a, Anterior tarsi of scala dilated. a*, Antennxlonger ; rg oblong, parallel- Side: + + « »« « « TY. LONGICORNIS, Mannh. b*¥, Antenna shorter ; “elytra somewhat dilated behind, or about middle. ee ee ee oct wade es pale T'richopteryz. | CLAVICORNIA. at. Elytra shorter, subquadrate, broadest behind middle .. .. .- .) ww we bt. Elytra longer, ovate, broadest about ol RT A LR a b. Anterior tarsi of male not dilated. a®* Pubescence short. aft. Hlytra not narrowed behind, oblong or subquadrate. at. Posterior angles of thorax much produced . OAe wth! aire bf. Posterior angles of thorax not pro- aangG/ on Pie aw sa ts: bt. Elytra narrowed behind, oval. af. Thorax more narrowed from base to apex; sculpture less pronounced ; antenne shorter . bygone i byt. Thorax scarcely narrowed from base to apex; sculpture more pronounced ; antenne longer , ...., b*. Pubescence longer. at. Size larger; elytra moderately long; thorax with rather large tubercles, sides very finely margined; pubescence FUROR ease ee cok as oP nd bt. Size smaller; thorax more plainly margined; elytra very short. at. Thorax with rather large tubercles ; elytra deeply asperate, margined ; pubescence fuscous . . . bf. Thorax with very small tubercles ; elytra feebly asperate, not margined ; pubescence whitish . . . . 2. 2. Antenne yellow, or pitchy-yellow. A. Colour entirely castaneous or fusco-castaneous, a. Thorax with sides almost straight, strongly tuberculate, head broad . 2. . 1... b. Thorax with sides distinctly narrowed in front, feebly tuberculate. ; a*, Form very convex ; head very broad; eyes small; elytra not dilated behind in female . SANSA ae oo Path atte sas b*. Form rather depressed; head narrower ; eyes large and prominent ; elytra strongly dilated behind in female . . .. . , B, Head and thorax black or pitchy-black ; elytra. castaneous. a. Elytra longer than head and thorax. . . b. Elytra not longer than head and thorax C, Head and thorax black, elytra yellow testaceous ; sculpture very faint . . .. . D. Head and thorax black, elytra brownish-black. F a, Head longer; thorax smaller; sculpture Mstanh 4. +: “atone terete T. BREVIPENNIS, Er. T. Kirsu, Matth, T. CANTIANA, Matth. T, VoLAns, Matth. T. Bovina, Mots. T. LoNauULA, Matth. T. sERicans, Heer. T. BREVIS, Mots.* T. Caevrorati, All. T. AmBIGUA, Matth. T. Powent, Matth. T. DISPAR, Matth. T. Gurerinu, All, T. opscmna, Woll. T. WatrRnHovsi, Matth. T. Monranponn, Ali. * This very rare species appears occasionally to have the antennz yellowish; in my specimen, however, they are decidedly pitchy. 12 116 CLAVICORNIA, [ Trichopteryx. b. Head shorter; thorax longer; sculpture CONS Peedi Ae ee elem d. ot oe ote LAER tale, E. Upper surface entirely deep black. a. Form broad almost cylindrical; head very ‘ broad ; thorax large; elytra parallel-sided . T, JANSoNI, Matth.* b. Form narrower; head Jess broad; thorax small with sides rounded, narrower than elytra; elytra dilated about middle . . . T. sUFFocaTA, Hal. II. Thorax coarsely margined; sculpture variolose (Beoerara Thoms.) . . . + + © « © « « « TT. VARIOLOSA, Muls, T. Saree, Matth. Short, broad, very strongly convex, shining, clothed with rather thick greyish pubescence ; head and thorax black, elytra rufo-castaneous ; head large and wide, antenne slender, with the apical joint much elongate, the two basal joints bright yellow, the rest darker ; thorax very large and convex, broader than elytra with minute tubercles placed in regular sinuate rows, interspaces reticulate ; elytra rather short, strongly narrowed behind, deeply and very closely asperate ; abdomen piceous, moderately exserted ; legs short, bright yellow ; under- surface castaneous, with a large spot near the apex of the metasternum, and the coxe, bright yellow ; abdomen with terminal segments paler. L. $-1 mm, Two specimens were taken in Nottinghamshire by the Rev. H. Matthews in 1861 ; the species has not been found since that time. T. Championis,; Matth. Narrow, elongate, convex, obscurely castaneous, shining, sparingly clothed with yellow hairs ; head rather small, eyes small, not prominent, antenne long, bright yellow ; thorax moderate, broadest at base, with the sides slightly rounded, covered with very small tubercles in indistinct wavy rows, posterior angles much pro- duced ; scutellum very large, rather deeply asperate ; elytra short, much narrowed behind, about as long as, but slightly narrower than, head and thorax, faintly asperate in transverse wavy rows ; abdomen much ex- serted, with five segments uncovered, terminal segment minutely triden- tate ; legs moderate, bright yellow. L. 4 mm. Seven examples were taken many years ago in Wicken Fen near Cambridge by a collector of Lepidoptera, and given by him to Mr. J, T. Harris of Burton-on-Trent. T. thoracica, Waltl.. Very short, broad and convex, fuscous black, clothed with rather long greyish hairs; head moderate, antennw rather robust, yellow; thorax very large and convex, broadest before base, with rather close irregular tubercles, posterior angles strongly pro- duced; scutellum rather short; elytra very short, quadrate, deeply asperate, a little narrowed to apex; abdomen moderately exserted ; legs short, clear yellow, with the femora dusky ; under-side black, mouth and coxe flavescent. L. 3mm. In moss and flood refuse, chiefly in the latter; rare; Woking, Claygate, Lee ; * This species appears to have the antenne either yellow or obscurely yellow. Trichopterys. | CLAVICORNIA, 117 Repton, Burton-on-Trent, Knowle, Needwood, and other Midland localities ; Dunham Park, Manchester ; Northumberland district ; Scotland, Forth and Solway districts. This species closely resembles 7’. atumaria, and may perhaps be a small race of this latter insect, but is distinguished by its ampler thorax, which is broadest before base, and is furnished with larger and more closely set tubercles, and by its shorter and narrower elytra. T. atomaria, De G. Somewhat ovate, rather broad, convex, pitchy- black, shining, clothed with rather long yellowish hairs; head large, antenne rather short, yellow ; thorax large, broadest at base, with small remote tubercles, interspaces shining, posterior angles strongly produced ; scutellum large ; elytra very slightly narrowed to apex in female, strongly in male, rather deeply asperate ; legs yellow, with femora dusky ; under- side black, mouth, coxee, and apex of abdomen flavescent. L. 3-4 mm. In moss, haystack refuse, flood refuse, &c.; not uncommon and pein dis- tributed throughout the kingdom. T. brevicornis, Mots. Very like the preceding species, but dis- tinguished by having the posterior margin of the thorax trisinuate, by its longer elytra, which have a more distinct fuscous tinge, and its shorter antennz, which are vy At oeopleey the sculpture also is coarser, and its average size is larger. L. 7-1 mm. Several specimens were taken by Mr. T. R. Billups at Canning Town, West Ham Marshes, Essex, on November 29, 1883, by shaking the bottom of a stack of radish seed, but it has not been taken in any other locality in Britain ; it is common in the island of Madeira. T. convexiuscula, Mots. (convera, Matth.). Oval, obtuse, very strongly convex, very shining, fuscous-black, sparingly clothed with short pale hairs; head large, very broad, antenne slender, rather short, clear yellow ; thorax very little dilated behind, about as broad at base as in ’ middle, with little tubercles irregularly arranged in sinuate rows, inter- spaces very shining, finely reticulate, posterior angles strongly produced ; elytra almost quadrate, not narrower than thorax ; legs clear yellow ; under-surface nigro-piceous, with abdomen lighter, and the mouth, coxe and posterior margins of metasternum, yellow. L, 2mm. Taken by Mr. Matthews in Oxfordshire; it has also occurred in Russia. T. anthracina, Matth. Subovate, convex, strongly narrowed behind in male, less strongly in female, deep black, very shining, clothed with short grey hairs; head large, prominent, antennee rather short, pitehy-black ; thorax very convex, dilated behind, with transverse sinuate rows of large tubercles, interspaces reticulate, very shining, pos- terior angles strongly produced; elytra narrower than thorax, rather finely asperate, suture a little raised behind; legs clear yellow ; under- side black, with the abdomen lighter and the mouth, apex of meta- sternum, and cox yellow. L. #2 mm. 118 CLAVICORNIA. [Trichopterya. In moss, haystack refuse, &c.; local; London district, rare, Sheerness, Chatham, and Reigate ; Hastings; Smallheath, Edgbaston, and Knowle; Repton, near Burton- on-Trent, common in hot-bed in my garden ; Sherwood Forest, not uncommon; it is probably widely distributed. The species may be known by the elytra being strongly attenuated behind in male, the short dark antenne, and the sculpture of the thorax, which is like that of 7’. sericans but with broader interspaces. T. fratercula, Matth. Rather short and broad, black, shining, clothed with short yellow hairs; head large, broad in front, eyes large and rather prominent, antenne rather short, pitchy-black ; palpi black ; thorax large, very convex, widest before base, upper-surface with minute remote tubercles arranged in distant wavy rows, closely reticulated, or alutaceous, posterior angles broad, much produced, and dilated on their exterior edge, somewhat in the shape of the billof the Puffin, Fratercula arctica (hence the name of the species); scutellum large ; elytra short, slightly narrowed behind, narrower than head and thorax, moderately asperate ; abdomen considerably exserted; legs rather short, robust, yellow, with the femora dusky ; under-surface entirely black. L. 3-7 mm. Three specimens of this species have been taken by Mr. Matthews at Gumley, near Market Harborough, by sweeping. T. grandicollis, Mannh. Rather broad, convex, black with an eneous reflection, thickly clothed with rather- short yellow hairs ; head large, eyes not prominent ; antenne moderate, pitchy or pitchy-testaceous ; thorax rather large, broadest at middle, with moderate, irregularly arranged, tubercles, and with a large black seta on each side behind middle; elytra rather short, slightly narrowed behind, deeply asperate, furnished at sides with two long sete, one near the shoulder and another behind middle ; legs yellow, under-side black, with the mouth testaceous or piceous, and the coxe black, margined with yellow. L. 1-14 mm. In moss, cow-dung, vegetable refuse, &c.; common and generally distributed in England ; it sometimes occurs in great profusion; it appears, however, to be rarer in the north and in Scotland; Ireland, near Dublin, &e. This species is very easily recognized by the three long outstanding setze on each side, which are possessed by no other British species. T. lata, Mots. The largest of our species; broad and subquadrate, convex, black, with a slight zneous reflection, thickly clothed with long yellow hairs ; head large and broad, eyes rather prominent, antennz long, slender, yellow ; thorax large, dilated behind, broadest before base, with somewhat large tubercles, arranged in rather sinuate rows, which are almost straight near base, posterior angles broad, produced; scutellum moderate ; elytra quadrate, not narrowed behind, longer than head and thorax, deeply and remotely asperate ; legs rather long, clear yellow ; under-side pitchy-black, mouth and coxex yellow. L. 14-13 mm. ed rie es hee BA es Trichopteryx. | CLAVICORNIA. 119 In dead leaves, moss, vegetable and flood refuse, hot-beds, at roots of grass, &e. ; very common and widely distributed. The large size, and long antennex, together with the quadrate elytra and close sculpture of the thorax, will easily distinguish this, perhaps the commonest of our species. T. cantiana, Matth. This species is very closely allied to the preceding, but differs in having the thorax much less dilated at the sides and base, and by its smaller head; the antenne, moreover, are rather shorter, more robust and entirely black, and the mouth parts are pitchy- black ; the colour is deeper black and the pubescence is shorter. L. Z-] mm. In vegetable refuse, moss, &c.; rare; Tonbridge (Wollaston); Repton, Burton-on- Trent, where I have taken a few specimens in Robins Wood from refuse at the side of a pond. T. fascicularis, Herbst. Suboval, convex, rather dull black, some what sparingly clothed with short pale hairs ; head moderate, eyes some- what prominent, antenne clear yellow, occasionally obscurely yellow ; thorax dilated behind, broadest at base, with small distinct tubercles, arranged in sinuate rows, interstices deeply reticulate, giving the thorax a dull appearance, posterior margin gently sinuate, posterior angles acute, produced ; scutellum rather short and broad ; elytra longer, and a little narrower than head and thorax, attenuated behind, asperate in thick, transverse sinuate rows; abdomen considerably exserted ; legs clear yellow ; under-side black, with mouth and coxe yellow. L. 1-lamm. In vegetable and haystack refuse, faggots, dead leaves, ants’ nests, &c.; not un- common and generally distributed. This species much resembles 7. lata, but the antenn are shorter and stouter, and the elytra are more narrowed behind, and the general appearance is duller ; the sculpture also of the thorax is different, T. leotitia, Matth. Very closely allied to the preceding and very likely only a local race; it differs in its conspicuously smaller size, smaller and more depressed thorax, and shorter and pitchy-black antenn. T. fascicularis, however, sometimes has the antenn darker, and 7’ letitia occasionally has them lighter, so that the latter character can hardly be depended on. L. 37mm. Robins Wood, Repton, Burton-on-Trent, where I took about forty specimens in rubbish near the side of a pond; Mr, Billups has taken it near London, and Mr, Allen Harker near Gloucester ; it is probably widely distributed. T. seminitens, Matth. Oblong oval, black, thorax very shining, elytra duller, convex, clothed rather sparingly with pale hairs; head large, eyes large and prominent, antenne slender, rather short, piceous ; thorax very convex, much dilated behind, broadest at base, with rather large tubercles, disposed in remote sinuate rows, interspaces very shining, posterior angles broad and much produced ; scutellum large and broad ; 120 CLAVICORNIA, [Trichoptery « elytra short, narrowed behind, much shorter and rather narrower than head and thorax, rather deeply asperate in remote sinuate rows ; abdomen much exserted ; legs rather short, robust, dark yellow; under- side black, witkgthe mouth and coxe yellow. L. vix 1mm. Rare ; Snodland (Kent) ; Sherwood Forest (in faggots) ; Scotland. This species is allied to T. fascicularis, but differs in the greater con- vexity of its form, the shining surface and more remote sculpture of the thorax, and shorter pitchy antenne ; from 7. attenuata it differs in its larger size and much greater convexity, shorter antenne, and sculpture of thorax. : T. attenuata, Gill. Ovate, much narrowed behind, somewhat depressed, black, sparingly clothed with short pale hairs; head large, eyes prominent, antenne very long, nigro-piceous ; thorax large, very strongly dilated behind, with rather large tubercles, irregularly arranged in thickly set rows, interspaces glabrous, with a large transverse fovea on each side near posterior angles, which are much produced ; elytra much attenuated towards apex, deeply and transversely asperate ; legs robust, clear yellow; under-side black, with mouth and coxe yellowish. L. mm. In flood refuse, &c., very rare; Snodland and Egham, Kent (Champion) ; Gumley, Leicestershire (Matthews) ; Sherwood Forest, in faggots (Matthews). T. volans, Mots. Oblong, rather convex, deep black, thickly clothed with short yellow hairs; head large, rather prominent ; antenna rather short, pitchy ; thorax short, not broader than elytra, with moderate tubercles, arranged in strongly sinuate rows, interstices reticulate, pos- terior angles scarcely produced ; elytra rather long, not attenuate behind, deeply and irregularly asperate, with the apices almost straight, and the suture raised behind; abdomen rather much exserted ; legs somewhat long, yellow; under-side black, with the mouth, apex of metasternum, last segments of abdomen, and coxe, yellow ; posterior cox strongly dilated, marked with a large black spot in middle. L. 3—~mm. Three specimens were taken about 1876 or 1877 by Mr. Champion at Aviemore, Scotland. This species somewhat resembles 7. sericans, but is larger and has much shorter pubescence, and differs also in its longer elytra, and the sculpture of the thorax. T. sericans, Heer. Rather short and broad, somewhat depressed, obscure black, not very shining, clothed with rather long fuscous hairs ; head broad, eyes not prominent; antenne rather stout, black or pitchy- black ; thorax moderate, slightly dilated behind, broadest before base, with rather large tubercles arranged in thick, interrupted rows, posterior angles slightly produced, acute, sides very finely margined ; elytra rather short, subquadrate, deeply and closely asperate, margined ; legs, obscurely —— Trichopteryx. | " GLAVICORNIA. 121 yellow, under-side pitchy-black, with mouth, coxe, metasternum, and margins of ventral segments of abdomen obscurely yellow. L.?—Z mm. In vegetable refuse, grass heaps, hot-beds, &c. ; rather local, but very abundant in some places; London district, not common, Lee; Kingsgate; Hastings; Glanvilles Wootton; Weymouth; Exeter; Dean Forest; Midland districts? not uncommon, Birmingham districts, Repton, &.; Wicken Fen; Cheshire; Lincolnshire; Hartle- pool; Northumberland district, rare; Scotland, Solway, Forth, Tay, and Clyde districts. Ireland, near Dublin. T. brevis, Mots. In appearance this species very much resembles the preceding, but differs in its smaller size, shorter and broader form, more prominent eyes, shorter elytra, and deeper sculpture, and also in the fact that both the thorax and elytra are distinctly margined. L. 3? mm, In hot-beds, &c.; very rare; Gumley, in vegetable refuse (Matthews) ; I once took two specimensin my hot-bed at Repton, one of which has four distinct foveolate depressions on the thorax. The antenne of this species appear to vary somewhat in colour, T. bovina, Mots. Oval, convex, deep black, dull, clothed with short, pale, silky hairs ; head moderate ; eyes rather small and prominent ; antenne short and stout, black or pitchy-black ; thorax short, dilated behind, with small tubercles arranged in sinuate rows, interspaces feebly reticulate, posterior angles acute, scarcely produced ; scutellum large ; elytra rather short, oval, very closely asperate in transverse rows, with apices contracted and rounded; abdomen rather much exserted; legs clear yellow ; femora dusky ; under-side pitchy with mouth and coxie lighter. L. 3-? mm. In flood refuse, dead leaves, &c., but especially in dry cow-dung ; occasionally taken by evening sweeping ; not uncommon-and generally distributed throughout the greater part of England ; it has not, however, been recorded from the extreme north ; Scotland, Forth and Tay districts. This species is easily distinguished from 7. sericans by its shape and finer sculpture, and especially by its shorter antenne. ~ T. brevipennis, Er. Short and broad, convex, black, thickly clothed with rather long pale hairs ; head large, rather prominent ; eyes prominent ; antennw long, pitchy, or pitchy-testaceous ; thorax somewhat dilated, broadest before base, with distinct minute tubercles thickly arranged in rows, interspaces reticulate, plainly margined, posterior angles produced, acute; elytra very short, somewhat dilated behind in male, thickly and deeply asperate in transverse rows, apices broad, strongly rounded; abdomen rather much exserted, somewhat acuminate ; legs rather long, pitchy or pitchy-testaceous, with the anterior tibiw, and the first joint of the anterior tarsi, strongly dilated in male ; under-side black with the mouth and apex of abdomen a little lighter, all the coxe pitchy. L. 3-2 mm. In moss and refuse in damp places, especially in or near marshes; local ; Shirley (Sharp); Glanvilles Wootton; Knowle, near Birmingham ;Gumley, Leicestershire ; Scotland, Solway district. 122 OLAVICORNIA. [ Trichopterya. T. Kirbii, Matth. Ovate, very convex, black, clothed with long yel- low pubescence ; head rather large, elongate, eyes somewhat prominent, antenne long, piceous, with the basal joints paler; thorax rather longer and wider than head, with the sides dilated and rounded, and rather contracted at base, thickly covered with minute tubercles, interstices deeply reticulate, posterior angles acute and rather more produced than in the allied species, sides margined; at the base of thorax there is an elongate transverse fovea, gradually increasing in width from the scutellum, which it almost reaches, to the hinder angle; scutellum large; elytra ovate, not wider than thorax, with the sides rounded, deeply and irregularly asperate ; abdomen considerably exserted, with apical segment deeply tridendate; legs long, yellow, anterior tibiz dilated in male, all the tarsi with the basal joint dilated in male, the anterior pair with the first jot very short and wide, and the second very large and unequally bifid; under-side black with the mouth and © coxe lighter. L. { mm. Three specimens taken by Mr. Matthews under sedge refuse at Ranworth Fen, Norfolk. T. longicornis, Mannh. Oblong, parallel, somewhat depressed, black, not very shining, clothed with very short, yellowish pubescence ; head large and broad, eyes not prominent, antenne very long and slender, light pitchy, or sometimes pitchy-testaceous ; thorax rather short, quad- rate, scarcely dilated behind, very thickly covered with minute tubercles, posterior angles produced, acute, basal margin deeply sinuate ; scutcllum rather large ; elytra rather long, oblong, parallel-sided until near apex, finely asperate ; legs rather long and stout, yellow; male with the anterior tibize dilated, and the first two joints of the anterior and intermediate tarsi dilated, those of the anterior pair more broadly so; under-side black with mouth and coxz yellow. L.?mm, — In hot-beds, &c., rare; Gumley, Market Harboro’, &. This species may be known by its oblong, parallel form, large broad head, very long and slender antennz, and the dilated joints of the tarsi in male, as well as by the sculpture. T. Edithia, Matth. Elongate, oblong, convex, griseous-brown, covered with long silky pale pubescence ; head large and wide, eyes not prominent, antennz very long and slender, bright yellow ; thorax with the sides much rounded, widest near the middle, covered with small tubercles irregularly arranged, interspaces shining and deeply reticulate, posterior angles slightly produced; elytra oval, much narrower than the thorax at shoulders, widest at middle, deeply asperate in close wavy rows ; legs long, slender, bright yellow. L. $mm. One example only of this distinct species is known ; it was taken by Mr. ‘Wollaston near Tonbridge in 1871. ? T. longula, Matth. Elongate, rather narrow, convex, somewhat Reeeeer rt Tt ir PT Trichopteryx. | CLAVIVORNIA. 123 shining, black, clothed with very short yellow pubescence ; head rather small, eyes large, prominent, antennze moderate, rather stout, pitchy- black ; thorax short, broadest at middle, with small tubercles arranged in thick strongly sinuate rows, interspaces shining, deeply reticulate, posterior margin almost straight, angles scarcely produced ; scutellum large ; elytra oblong, very convex, with the sides almost parallel, thickly, but not deeply, asperate ; legs yellow. L. 7-1 mm. In hot-beds, vegetable refuse, &c.; rare, but probably much more widely dis- tributed than is at present known; Tonbiidge; Gumley, Leicestershire ; Knowle ; Repton ; Lincoln ; in both the latter places I have taken it in the hot-bed in my garden ; Mr. Champion has also found it in Scotland. This species is allied to J. picicornis, but differs in its shorter and narrower thorax, longer and more slender anténnx, and closer and finer sculpture. T. picicornis, Mannh. Oblong, convex, black, rather sparingly clothed with yellowish hairs; head large, antennze moderate, pitchy- black, with the eighth joint somewhat incrassate ; thorax scarcely dilated behind, with sides rounded and margined, furnished with moderate tubercles arranged in thick, interrupted, rows, interspaces deeply reticulate, posterior angles moderately produced ; scutellum rather small; elytra quadrate, slightly broader behind, with sides almost parallel, moderately strongly asperate; abdomen rather much exserted, apical segment tri- dentate ; legs rather stout, obscurely yellow; basal joints of all the tarsi slightly dilated; under-side black, mouth and coxe lighter. L. $ mm. In rotten wood; rare; Hastings; Knowle; Gumley; Sherwood Forest ; Northum- berland district, six specimens (Bold) ; Scotland, Forth and Tay districts (Avie- more, &c.). . carbonaria, Matth. This species is allied to 7. picteornis, but differs from that species in its paler and more slender antenne, of which the eighth joint is linear and not incrassate, and in the different sculpture of the thorax and elytra, the tubercles on the former being smaller, and the latter being deeply and very closely asperate. L. $ mm. A single example was taken in August, 1868, by the Rev. A. Matthews in Thoresby Park, Nottinghamshire, by sweeping under oaks. T. Jansoni, Matth. Oblong, subcylindrical, subparallel, deep black, clothed very sparingly with short silvery hairs; head short, very broad, antennze rather long, pitchy-testaceous or yellow ; thorax scarcely dilated behind, with sides rather broadly margined, with moderate tubercles, arranged in irregular remote sinuate rows, interspaces very shining, deeply reticulate, posterior angles rather distinctly produced; elytra rather long, parallel-sided until behind middle, and thence rounded to apex, deeply asperate in remote, transversely sinuate, rows; legs moderate, clear yellow ; under-side black, with mouth, coxe, and apex of metasternum, yellow. L. mm. 12t OLAVICORNIA. [ Trichopteryx. Very rare; three specimens have been taken by Mr. Matthews, near Gumley, Leicestershire. T. Montandonii, All. Oblong, convex, shining, black with the elytra fuscous black, rather thickly clothed with long white pubescence ; head large, eyes prominent, antenne long, either entirely yellow or slightly fuscous towards apex ; thorax moderate, slightly dilated at base, with moderate tubercles, which are remote and irregularly arranged, interspaces deeply reticulate, posterior margin strongly sinuate, angles a little produced ; scutellum large; elytra oblong, almost parallel-sided, not narrowed behind ; legs yellow ; under-side pitchy-black, with mouth aud cox yellow, last segments of abdomen lighter. L. 4-2 mm. In vegetable refuse, hot-beds, &c., and occasionally in ants’ nests ; local; London district, not common. ‘Tonbridge, Belvedere, Loughton; Hunstanton, Norfolk ; Knowle; Repton, Burton-on-Trent ; Northumberland district, very rare; Scotland, Forth district ; it is probably generally distributed. The oblong shape, long and slender antennz, and distant tubercles of thorax will serve to distinguish the species. T. rivularis, All. Very closely allied to the preceding, but dis- tinguished by its more elongate form and longer thorax, and also by having the elytra somewhat contracted to apex; the sculpture also is different, the tubercles on the thorax being rather small, and arranged more closely and regularly, and the posterior margin of the thorax is straighter. L. $—t mm. Mr. Matthews says that this species is not uncommon, in England; Birmingham district, &c. ; I feel very doubtful as to whether it can really be separated from 7. Montandonii. T. Guerinii, All. Oblong, moderately convex, subparallel, head and thorax black, elytra rufo-castaneous, sparingly clothed with short yellow hairs ; head large, prominent; eyes small, prominent; antenne rather long, yellow; thorax moderate, very slightly dilated behind, with small distinct tubercles, arranged in sinuate rows, interspaces reticulate, posterior angles slightly but plainly produced, acute ; elytra almost parallel-sided, rather deeply asperate im thickly set, sinuate, rows ; legs rather long and slender, yellow, with cox and femora pitchy ; under-side black, with mouth parts pitchy. L. $-% mm. Very rare; in hot-beds, &c.; West Ham (Billups) ; Gumley ; Hunstanton, Norfolk, at which place I took a single specimen in August, 1879. T. obscoena, Woll. Oblong, elongate, strongly convex, with the head and thorax black and the elytra nigro-castaneous; allied to 7. Guerinii, but differs from that species by its longer and narrower form, shorter and more obscurely coloured antennee, which have a less distinct club, shorter and darker elytra, and deeper sculpture. L. 3% mm. This species has once been taken in faggots by Mr. Matthews in Sherwood Forest ; it was originally found by Mr. Wollaston in the Canary Islands. 5 shea RB gd Prichopteryx.] CLAVICORNIA, 125 T. fuscula, Matth. Short, quadrate, rather depressed, fuscous, thickly clothed with long pale hairs ; head large, prominent ; eyes large ; antenne long and slender, clear yellow ; thorax short, transverse, dilated behind, with rather large tubercles, arranged in thick, strongly sinuate, rows, interspaces shining and reticulate, sides yellowish, margined, posterior margin sinuate ; scutellum large; elytra short, quadrate, deeply asperate, almost parallel-sided ; legs clear yellow; under-side nigro- fuscous, with abdomen lighter, mouth and coxe yellow. L. 3 mm. In moss; very rare; taken by Mr. Matthews near Gumley. This species appears somewhat to resemble 7. brevis, but differs in its smaller thorax, longer and more slender antenne, and also in sculpture. T. Waterhousii, Matth. Oblong, subparallel, somewhat dépressed, nigro-fuscous with the elytra testaceous, clothed with short pale hairs ; head large, eyes not prominent, antenne moderate, bright yellow, with the apical joints only slightly incrassate ; thorax short, scarcely dilated behind, with the sides very slightly rounded, with small distinct tubercles, irregularly arranged in close rows, interstices slightly alutaceous, posterior margin yellow, angles slightly produced ; scutellum large, dull black ; elytra short, quadrate, slightly dilated towards apex, sides nearly straight, finely asperate ; abdomen fuscous, moderately exserted ; legs yellow ; under-side pitchy, with the metasternum and abdomen paler, mouth and coxe yellow. L. 3mm. Two examples taken in Britain by Mr. Waterhouse ; locality unknown. T. Chevrolatii, All. (pygmea, Er.; minuta, Mots.). The smallest species of the genus that we possess; short, oblong, parallel, somewhat depressed, black, rather shining, clothed with rather long whitish pubescence ; head large, eyes prominent, antenne rather long, entirely pitchy, last joint elongate ; thorax quadrate, scarcely dilated behind, with small inconspicuous tubercles; scutellum large; elytra short, quadrate, moderately asperate in transverse rows; legs robust, clear yéllow, with the basal joints of all the tarsi slightly dilated ; under. side nigro-piceous, with the mouth, metasternum, and coxe yellow. L. 3-3 mm. -In vegetable refuse, hot-beds, &c. ; probably very often overlooked by reason of its minute size ; Shirley ; Tonbridge ; Gumley, Leicestershire ; Edgbaston and Knowle, Birmingham. This species may easily be recognized by its very small size, oblong and parallel form, quadrate thorax, elongate last joint of antenna, and very fine sculpture. T. suffocata, Hal. Oval, rather broad, somewhat depressed, black, clothed with pale pubescence ; head rather elongate and prominent, eyes large and prominent, antenna moderate, clear yellow ; thorax small, 126 CLAVICORNIA. [ Zrichopterys. narrower than elytra, with small tubercles, arranged in rather thick, transverse, curved rows, interstices not shining, scarcely dilated behind, posterior angles very little produced, somewhat acute, elytra rather short, a little contracted in front and behind, finely asperate, apices rounded; abdomen much exserted, acuminate; legs yellow; under-side entirely black. L. 1 mm. Very rare; found only by Mr. Haliday, both the larva and perfect insect together, under damp fallen leaves or stones, in the bed of a dried-up brook (Glen-na-Chatta), of the Shournagh River, Cork. T. dispar, Matth. Rather depressed, castaneous-brown or fuscous, clothed with a silvery pubescence; head moderately large, eyes pro- minent, antenne long,‘dull yellow ; thorax short, slightly dilated behind, rather thickly covered with small distinct. tubercles placed in curved rows, interstices alutaceous, posterior angles scarcely produced; scu- © tellum rather large ; elytra at shoulders narrower than thorax, very much dilated towards apex in female, slightly contracted in male, closely and rather confusedly asperate ; abdomen somewhat attenuated and mode- rately exposed ; legs rather long, bright yellow ; under-side pitchy-brown with the mouth and coxe yellow. L. 3-2 mm. . In moss, especially in spring; rare; London district (Waterhouse) ; Devonshire (Wollaston); Gumley, Leicestershire, and Oxfordshire (Matthews); Knowle and Randan Woods (Blatch). T. ambigua, Matih. Castaneous-brown, oblong, rather broad, very convex, clothed with golden pubescence; head rather large and broad, eyes small, not prominent, antenne rather slender, obscurely yellow ; thorax broadest before base, sides very slightly rounded, with irregularly arranged distinct large tubercles, posterior angles slightly produced ; scutellum large ; elytra oblong, rather depressed, not narrowed, or even slightly dilated, behind, a little contracted at base, rather deeply and thickly asperate; legs long and robust, clear yellow, tarsi elongate, with basal joints thickened ; abdomen moderately exserted, with apex feebly tridentate ; under-side castaneous, with the last segments of the body lighter, the coxa and apex of metasternum yellow. L. 3-2 mm. Under bark, &c.; very rare; Oxfordshire (Matthews); Peckham, under bark of Hornbeam (Billups); it appears to be common in America. T. Poweri, Matth. (Chevrieri, All.). Broad, oblong, very convex, fusco-castaneous, clothed with golden pubescence ; head large and broad, eyes not prominent ; antenne rather long, pitchy-testaceous; thorax rather large, slightly dilated behind, with small tubercles thickly arranged in interrupted rows, interstices shining, finely reticulate, posterior angles acute, very little produced; scutellum large ; elytra quadrate, somewhat dilated behind, deeply asperate in thick transverse rows, sides margined, apices very broad ; legs long and stout, clear yellow, with the femora dusky ; under-side pitchy, with the apical segments of the abdo- ‘men, the cox, and metasternum, yellow. L. 27-1 mm. te an a ¥ Be) ae ae ae eee ee ee ee ee ae a FC ————- —_— eo . 27 Trichopterys. ] CLAVICORNIA. 12 Two specimens tuken at Weston, Oxfordshire, by Mr. Matthews, in moss. T. variolosa, Muls. (Bwocrara littoralis, Thoms.). Suboval, shining, convex, nigro-castaneous, or nearly black, sparingly clothed with stout silvery hairs, not tuberculate, but with the whole surface impressed with large punctures, variolose ; head large, elongate in front, eyes prominent, antenne long and rather slender, pitchy-testaceous ; thorax short, trans- verse, with sides strongly margined and rounded in front and behind, posterior angles acute, not produced ; scutellum large, deeply punctured ; elytra rather shori, dilated behind, with the sides rounded and strongly margined, apices broad, almost straight; legs long, clear yellow, femora pitchy ; under-side castaneous, mouth and coxe yellow. L. 3-2 mm. In moss, dung, &c.; rare; the first British specimen was taken by Mr. Matthews near Gumley, Leicestershire, February, 7th, 1862 ; subsequently Mr. Matthews found another in the same locality ; it has also occurred at Esher, near London; Mr. Wollas- ton has taken it on Dartmoor, in Devonshire, and Dr, Sharp in the New Forest and in Scotland, in which country he records it as rare in sheep’s dung, Tay district (Rannoch). Thomson separates this species on the ground of the sculpture and strongly margined thorax as a new genus Beocrara ; it is true that it presents the only instance of true punctuation in the genus, but the margined thorax is found in other species, and the mouth parts, &c., appear to be identical ; I have therefore followed Mr. Matthews in keeping it under 7'richopteryx. SMICRUS, Matthews. This genus contains one European species, which is distinguished from Microptilium, which has been included under it, by having the thorax plainly constricted behind, and also by the long ligula, and narrowly laminate posterior coxe; it is extremely rare in Europe, but rather common in North and South America ; it is found in dung-heaps, and also in the sandy banks of streams. S. filicornis, Matth. (Micrus, Matth.). Oblong, subparallel, con- vex, dull black, very thickly clothed with short yellow hairs; head large, broad, minutely and closely tuberculate, antennze very long and slender, yellow; thorax transverse, with sides rounded in front, and constricted at base, very closely and minutely tuberculate, posterior margin almost straight, angles acute; scutellum large ; elytra rather long, with sides almost parallel, very closely and deeply asperate ; abdo- men rather long, with five segments exserted; legs long, robust, clear yellow ; under-side pitchy-black, with mouth, coxe, and apex of meta- sternum clear yellow, apical segment in male broadly and deeply emar- ginate, with a long process in middle, armed on each side with an elongate sharp spine. L. $-13 mm. Very rare; once found by Mr. Matthews in numbers on the banks of. the Rye, 128 CLAVICORNIA. [Smicrus. Nunnington, Yorkshire, and also at Gumley, flying; I took one specimen at Hun- stanton, Norfolk, in August, 1879, on the window of our lodgings, in company with 2. Guerinii ; they probably came from a stable which was not far off. I have lately found a specimen among some beetles sent me for names by the Rev. C. T. Cruttwell, of Denton, Harleston, Norfolk; it was, I believe, taken near Denton. MICROPTILIUM, Matthews. The single European species included in this genus was formerly classed with Smicrus, but besides the differences pointed out above, it has longer elytra and fewer segments of the abdomen uncovered, and the maxille are differently formed ; it is rare on the continent, and only two British examples are known. M™M. pulchellum, All. Elongate, rather depressed, pitchy-black, very thickly clothed with short white pubescence; head large, prominent, elongate in front, eyes large and prominent, antennz very long and slender, clear yellow ; thorax small, shorter than head, with sides rounded in front and rather strongly contracted, but not constricted, behind, with base incumbent on shoulders of elytra, closely and rather rugosely tuberculate, with an oval impression on each side near middle; elytra long, dilated behind, rather deeply asperate ; legs long, robust, clear yellow ; under-side pitchy, with the abdomen lighter, mouth and coxa clear yellow. L. $—Z mm. Very rare; two specimens were once taken by Mr. G. R. Waterhouse, but I do not know in what locality. NEPHANES, Thomson. This genus contains one European and a few American species ; from the other members of the tribe except Microptilium, it is distinguished by having the thorax gradually contracted behind, not constricted as in Smicrus, or simple as in the other genera ; from Microptilium it may be known by its much shorter elytra, which leave six segments of the body exposed, the laminate posterior coxe, and differently shaped maxille and ligula. N. Titan, Newm. (abbreviatellus, Heer., Thoms. ; Elachys abbrevia- telius, Matth.). Oblong, subparallel, dark with a castaneous tinge, or almost black, shining, moderately convex, thickly clothed with pale pubescence ; head large, elongate in front, eyes large, prominent, antenne long, robust, yellow ; thorax short, not longer than head, broadest behind middle and thence contracted to base, thickly tubereulate ; elytra short, oblong, not or scarcely longer than head and thorax, with sides nearly parallel, closely and deeply asperate; legs rather long and stout, clear yellow ; under-side castaueous, with mouth, coxe, posterior margin of metasternum and last segments of abdomen, yellow. L. $ mm. In cut. grass, vegetable refuse, hot-beds, &c. ; locally common ; Shirley, Darenth 7. ee OO ee TT Ot aa Nephanes. | OLAVICORNIA. 129 Wood, Putney, Tonbridge ; Kingsgate ; Glanvilles Wootton ; Barnwood, near Glouces- ter; Birmingham district ; Northumberland district, very rare; not recorded from Scotland; Ireland, near Dublin. hi PTILIINA. This tribe contains seven European genera, all of which, with the exception of Micridiwm, are represented in Britain ; they are, as a rule, much more easy to determine than the Deehopeer ea I. Thorax broadest at base; pygidium covered. i. Metasternum not extending to the sides of the body. Nossiprum, Er. ii. Metasternum reaching the sides of body . . . . Evuryprinium, Matth. II. Thorax broadest before base. i. Thorax at base extending over the shoulders of the elytra at the sides, sinuate narrowly before base, so that the apical margin is broader than the actual basal margin. . 7 « « © « « Aoripium, Matth, ii. Thorax fitted ‘to the base of elytra. 1. Metasternum extending tothe sides of the body ; thorax not, or only moderately sulcate. A. Pygidium exposed; sculpture almost always tuberculate* . . . « « « Pruivsm, Lr. B. Pygidium covered ; sculpture variolose| ‘ Prenipiom, Er. 2 Metasternum not exte nding to the sides of body 5 : thorax very deeply sulcate. . . . Mituipium, Mots. PTILIUM, Erichson. Nineteen species of this genus are enumerated by Mr. Matthews in his monograph from Europe and America, but several have since been described ; they are distinguished by having the thorax fitted to the base of the elytra, the pygidium exposed, and also by the generally distinctly tuberculate or asperate sculpture of the thorax, by which they may, asa rule, be separated from the species of Actidiwm, which bear rather a strong resemblance to them in general appearance ; the species are found in moss, hot-beds, dead leaves, &c., or under bark. I. Thorax not or obsoletely channelled in middle. i, Thorax more or less quadrate, not constricted be- hind. 1. Thorax longer than head. A. Thorax dilated behind; sculpture of elytra finer . P. MARGINATUM, Aubé. B. Thorax not dilated behind ; sculpture of aly ‘tra coarser. . P. Kunzet, Heer. 2. Thorax shorter. or almost shorter than head, A. Elytra scarcely broader than thorax ; sculp- ture of thorax fine. a. Form broader; antennw thicker . . . . P. BREVICOLLE, Matth. b. Form narrower; antenne more slender. . P. RuGULOSUM, All. * In Ptilium Halidaii, the head and thorax are foveolate-punctute. VOL, Ill. K 130 CLAVICORNIA. [ Ptilium. B. Elytra considerably broader than thorax ; sculpture of thorax rather coarse . . . « P.SprEnczt, All, ii. Thorax constricted behind, 1. Head and thorax tuberculate ; thorax with at most a very indistinct impression on each side at base-. % . _P. cALEDONICUM, Sharp. 2. Head and thorax foveolate- “punctate ; thorax with deep lateral sige lines reaching eb. middle .. ieee . P. Hatiwan, Matth, II. Thorax plainly channelled in middle. i. Thorax with lateral impressed lines, which are parallel. 1. Impressed lines of thorax deep; elytra con- siderably dilated, rather coarsely sculptured . . P. AFFINE, Er, 2. Impressed lines of thorax shallow ; ibe mepiees dilated, finely sculptured . . . P. 1nstene, Matth. li. Thorax with lateral impressed lines, which cons verge infront. . . P. cmsum, Zr. iii. Thorax with lateral impressed lines which diverge in front. 1, Elytra longer ; head and general form narrower ; average size larger . . P. exaratuM, All. 2. Elytra shorter; head and general form broader ; ; average size smaller sce sfthe P. myrMEcopuitum, All. iv. Thorax with lateral soe eat lines very obsolete or ausent 555 5 Aare - es a ol) Ss Ue P. FOVEOLATUM; Ad. P. Kunzei, Heer. Oblong, rather convex, black, dull, rather thickly clothed with grey pubescence, closely tuberculate ; head large and broad, eyes small, rather prominent, antenne rather short and stout, pitchy black; thorax transverse, longer and broader than head, broadest at base, with sides slightly rounded, not channelled ; elytra oval, about one and a half times as long as head ‘and thorax, deeply asperate in oblique rows; legs pitchy, occasionally yellow; under-side pitchy, with the abdomen lighter, and the mouth and coxe yellow. L. } mm. In hot-beds ; locally abundant, and probably widely qadlivesadl Ashtead, Since’ ; Edgbaston and Knowle ; Cheshire ; Manchester ; Scotland, Solway district. Ireland, near Dublin. P. brevicolle, Matth. Short, oblong, rather depressed, fuscous- black, rather thickly clothed with short dark hairs ; head large, broad, elongate in front, eyes prominent, antenne very long and stout, yellow ; thorax very short, much shorter than head, as well as head thickly and | finely tuberculate ; elytra oblong, rather depressed, nearly parallel-sided, scarcely broader than thorax, very closely covered with rather large tubercles ; abdomen scarcely exserted ; legs long, robust, yellow, tibie eee dilated ; under-side pitchy-black, with mouth and cox yellow. . $mm, Very rare ; one specimen taken near Weston, Oxfordshire, by Rev. A. Matthews. This very distinct species may easily be known by its extremely small ae et ¥ rian Ptilium.] OLAVICORNIA. 131 size, oblong, depressed, form, very large head and short thorax, which is not channelled, and also by its very long antenne and general sculpture. P. rugulosum, All. (fustwm, Er.). Oblong, convex, rather narrow, fuscous, thickly clothed with pale pubescence, with very deep rugose sculpture, especially on elytra; thorax, very short, not channelled ; elytra narrow, not or scarcely broader than head and thorax, antenne rather long and slender, pale ferruginous, legs testaceous ; this species is rather closely allied to P. Kunzet, but differs in its narrower form, more rugose sculpture, much shorter thorax, and longer and more slender antenne, L. + mm. Very rare; Gumley, in moss (Matthews); Scotland, Tay district. P. Spencei, All. (angustatum, Er.; oblongum, Gyll.). Elongate- oval, rather convex, fuscous-black or black, clothed with rather long greyish hairs; head moderate, eyes prominent, antenne moderate, more or less pitchy ; thorax rather short, transverse, very little broader or wider than head, not channelled, broadest before base, with rather large, remote tubercles, sides and angles strongly rounded ; posterior margin slightly reflexed; scutellum small ; elytra rather long, oval, broader than thorax, deeply asperate in transverse rows, the asperations not being very close; legs pitchy; under-side pitchy, with mouth, coxe, and apex of abdomen lighter, L. # mm. In vegetable refuse, moss, &c. ; occasionally by evening sweeping; locally common ; Esher, Lee, Tonbridge; Hastings; Glanvilles Wootton; Knowle, Repton, Matlock, and other Midland localities; Cheshire; Scotland, Solway and Dee districts; in Bretby Wood, Repton, I once took a large number of Trichopterygide under some refuse in a ride; these all proved to be 7’. grandicollis and P. Spencei; I do not know whether there is any connection between these insects except similarity of habitat ; they are both, probably, generally distributed in England. P. marginatum, Aubé. Very closely allied to P. Spencei, but dis- tinguished by its usually larger size, larger and wider thorax, which is more closely sculptured, and is widest at base, and has the posterior margin rather strongly reflexed; the antennz also are more lightly coloured, and the sculpture of the whole body is finer. L. {-3 mm. Rare; taken by Mr. Matthews and Mr. Crotch in the Cambridgeshire and Norfolk Fens, in 1868, and by Mr. Matthews at Forest Hill, Kent, in rotten leaves; also by Mr. Blatch in Sherwood Forest, under bark. P. caledonicum, Sharp. LElongate-oval, convex, rather shining, colour variable, usually dirty testaceous, but sometimes more or less fuscous, head and thorax darker than elytra ; upper surface rather thickly clothed with long pale hairs; head large, eyes large and prominent, antennz long and very slender, yellow ; thorax broader than, and rather narrower than elytra, broadest at middle, with the sides strongly rounded in front, and constricted behind, without channel, but sometimes with an obsolete impression on each side near the base, with rather thickly-set, K 2 132 OLAVICORNIA. [Ptilium. moderate-sized tubercles ; elytra elongate-oval, broadest at middle, mo- derately asperate in irregular transverse rows, interstices shining ; legs slender, clear yellow ; under-side fusco-testaceous. L. {-3 mm. ’ Found in numbers by Dr. Buchanan White and Dr. Sharp under the bark of a dead Scotch fir at Braemar, Scotland. In sculpture and pubescence this species is very similar to P. Spencei ; it is an interesting species, as connecting this latter insect and its allies with the abnormal P. croaticum, P. ceesum, Ex. (/atwm, Gyll.). Rather broad, castaneous, sparingly clothed with very short pale pubescence; head rather large and broad ; antenne rather short and stout, clear yellow; thorax larger, longer, and broader than head, with the sides rounded and widened in middle and narrowed behind, alutaceous and not tuberculate, with a central channel and two impressed lines, one on each side, which converge in front, pos- terior angles almost right angles; elytra rather short, dilated behind, closely and very finely asperate ; legs clear yellow ; under-side castaneous, with the mouth, coxe, abdomen, and posterior margin of metasternum yellowish. L. § mm. Very rare ; Cambridgeshire, six specimens (Crotch). P. affine, Er. Considerably larger than the preceding species, and of a darker colour, being fuscous or nigro-fuscous ; it is also differently sculptured, the head and thorax being finely and closely tuberculate, and the elytra being more coarsely sculptured ; the thorax is widest behind middle, and is furnished with a central channel and a deeply impressed line on each side, all three being parallel ; the elytra are more gradually rounded, and are widest about middle, instead of being widest behind as in P. cesum, and the antenne are pitchy, lighter at base. L. $ mm. Very rare; three examples have occurred at Wicken Fen, Cambridgeshire, by sweeping; I have also received two specimens from the South of England ; it appears also to be found under dung. P. exaratum, All. (canaliculatum, Er.). Elongate, convex, rather shining, clothed with short greyish silky pubescence, fuscous, very finely and closely tuberculate ; head rather small but elongate, much narrower than thorax, antenne clear yellow, club slightly thickened, last joint elongate; thorax with sides rounded in front and contracted behind, broadest a little before middle, with a central channel, and two indis- tinctly impressed lateral lines or impressions, which diverge in front ; elytra long, oval, more plainly sculptured than head and thorax ; abdomen slightly exserted, with the last segments testaceous ; legs clear yellow. L. 3-{ mm. In vegetable refuse, hot-beds, &c., also in cow-dung ; not uncommon, and probably much more widely distributed than is at present known; Tonbridge and other localities in the South and Midlands (Gumley, Knowle, &c.). P. myrmecophilum, All. (inguilinum, Er. ; v. discoideum, Vill.). ee Ptilium.] CLAVICORNIA. 133 Allied to the preceding, but easily distinguished by its smaller size, broader form, shorter elytra, and reddish or castaneous colour; the sculpture is exceedingly fine, and the thorax is narrower in proportion to the elytra ; the antenne, also, are rather shorter, and have the last joints more thickened. L. 3 mm. In nests of Formica rufa; locally abundant; Chislehurst, Kent; Scarborough ; Scotland, very local, Dee and Moray districts. P. insigne, Matth. Elongate, rufo-castaneous, clothed with short pale pubescence, rather finely and closely tuberculate; head_ large, elongate in front, antenne pale yellow, short and stout, with the two last joints much thickened ; thorax short, with sides strongly rounded, and much constricted at base, with a deep central channel and a shallow impressed line on each side, the channel and lines being parallel ; elytra rather long, not dilated behind ; abdomen plainly exserted, testaceous ; legs rather long, slender, pale yellow, tibie dilated at apex ; under-side entirely testaceous. L. § mm. Very rare; one example has been taken by Mr. Waterhouse in the London district, and Mr. Blatch records it as from “‘ Knowle (?) ” in lawn clippings. This species, like P. affine, has the lateral lines on thorax parallel to the central channel, but they are much shallower, and the insect is altogether smaller and narrower, and more finely sculptured, and the thorax is broadest about middle. P. foveolatum; All. (excavatum, Er. ; clandestinum, Hal.; mini- mum? Herbst.). Elongate, very small, narrow, and slender, rather convex, rufo-castaneous or rufo-testaceous, clothed with short yellow hairs, strongly and closely tuberculate ; head large, almost triangular, very much elongate, eyes large, prominent, antennz rather long, pale yellow ; thorax not broader and scarcely longer than head, slightly rounded in front, and constricted behind, with a short central channel and an indistinct impressed line or fovea on each side diverging in front; these impressed lines are sometimes very indistinct ; elytra long and linear, parallel-sided until near apex ; legs pale yellow, tibiz slightly dilated at apex ; under-side rufo-testaceous. L. 5-3 mm. In dung-heaps, hot-beds, &c.; probably generally distributed ; Kingsgate; Mid- land districts ; Northumberland district, rare; I have taken it in the greatest pro- fusion in a hot-bed at Barnwood near Gloucester; when a hot-bed is freshly watered and closed the evaporated steam condenses in large drops on the under-surface of the glass; various species of small beetles, especially Trichopterygide, are perpetually flying upwards from the centre of the bed, and these are caught in the drops and may be sometimes taken by the hundred; I obtained all my specimens of P. foveolatwm in this manner. P. Halidaii, Matth. Elongate-oval, slender, very convex, shining, bright castaneous, sparingly clothed with very short pale pubescence ; head moderate, rather elongate, deeply impressed with foveolate punc- tures, antenne rather long, clear yellow ; thorax small and short, scarcely 134 CLAVICORNIA. [Ptilium, longer or broader than head, deeply foveolate-punctate, with a narrow central channel in front not reaching to middle, and on each side a narrow impressed line converging from base to beyond middle, sides slightly rounded, somewhat constricted behind ; scutellum large ; elytra rather long, narrow, and transparent, elongate-oval, broadest before middle, closely and rather deeply asperate in transverse rows, somewhat narrowed behind ; legs rather long, clear yellow, tibiz slightly dilated ; under-side castaneous, mouth, cox, and abdomen lighter. L. § mm, Very rare ; a single exam ple was taken by Mr. Matthews under bark of dead oak in Sherwood Forest, : The species is very distinct, and may at once be known by the sculpture of the head and thorax; it partially corresponds to TY. variolosa in the genus Trichoptery. MIELIDIUM, Moischulsky. This genus contains one European and one American species; the former of these is common in hotbeds in many parts of the country ; it is very smooth and shining like an elongate Ptenidiwm, and is easily distinguished by the very deep longitudinal furrows on the thorax. IM. trisuleatum, Aubé (minutissimum, Gill). Elongate-oval, convex, pitchy-black or deep black, very shining, almost glabrous, very sparingly clothed with extremely short silvery hairs ; head moderate, alu- taceous, eyes small, scarcely prominent, antenné rather obscurely yellow ; thorax alutaceous, with sides strongly rounded, contracted behind, broadest behind middle, posterior angles acute, with a very deep median furrow and a shorter furrow on each side, diverging in front; scutellum large, broad, triangular, with a deep conical fovea not reaching base, and a smaller oblique fovea on each side ; elytra ovate, very shining, extremely finely and remotely punctured, apices lighter ; abdomen slightly exserted, rather acute ; legs clear yellow ; under-side pitchy, with mouth, coxee, and last segment of abdomen clear yellow. L. 3 mm. In moss, vegetable refuse, hot-beds, &c.; not uncommon in some localities; it seems to be rare in the London district; Tonbridge; Repton, Burton-on-Trent, common, Knowle, and other Midland localities; Barnwood, Gloucester; it is not recorded from the North or from Scotland; my impression is that it is very widely distributed, but is overlooked on account of its minute size and sluggish movements, ACTIDIUM, Matthews. This very distinct genus contains eight species, three from Europe, two from British Columbia, one from the Sandwich Islands, one from Central America, and one from New Zealand ; it is probable that many more will be discovered ; they are easily distinguished from Ptilium. b having the abdomen entirely covered by the elytra. - ’ : j ' ‘ PS ee eee, ee an Ne Actidium. | CLAVICORNIA. 135 I. Upper surface pilose, not shining; head «and thorax deeply foveolate-punctate Soh Tes. osteo S84 % Son A CORROTARUM, Hal, II, Upper surface almost glabrous, shining ; head and thorax very finely tuberculate or alutaceous . . . . . . . A. CoNcoLoR, Sharp. A. coarctatum, Hal. Linear, elongate, rather convex, dull black, thickly dotted with long silvery hairs ; head large, elongate, rounded in front, eyes small, prominent, antenne rather long, clear yellow ; thorax short, transverse, scarcely longer than head, with sides strongly rounded, marked with a large, transverse, reniform impression at base; head and thorax strongly foveolate-punctate ; scutellum small; elytra very long, linear, finely but distinctly and closely tuberculate, sutural angles almost right angies; legs rather long and stout, clear yellow, tibie strongly dilated ; under-side pitchy, with mouth and cox yellow. L. $-3 mm. Under sea-weed and shingle on the coast ; also in hot-beds, &c., inland; first taken in Britain on the coast of Ireland by Haliday ; Walton-on-Naze (Champion) ; Kings- gate, in profusion in a heap of decaying sea-weed in company with Actinopteryax (T. Wood); I have taken it sparingly in a hot-bed at Barnwood, near Gloucester, for two or three years in succession, in company with Nephanes Titan and Plilium foveclatum; this capture is interesting, as confirming Haliday’s record of having tuken the species in a hot-bed, which was commonly supposed to have been made in error. This species appears to be distributed throughout the whole of Europe, and the African shore of the Mediterranean Sea. A. concolor, Sharp (Piilium concolor, Sharp). Linear and elongate, somewhat convex, shining, deep black, clothed with very short silvery hairs, so that the surface appears almost glabrous, alutaceous and scarcely tuberculate ; head large and broad, elongate, eyes rather small, not pro- minent, antenne rather short and stout, pitchy-testaceous ; thorax very short, with sides strongly rounded and margined, and very strongly con- tracted behind; scutellum small; elytra elongate, linear, not broader than, and almost twice as long as, head. and thorax, with sides almost straight, sutural angles obtuse ; legs long, pitchy-testaceous, posterior tibie strongly dilated, tarsi very short; under-side black, with mouth, coxa, and apex of abdomen lighter. L. § mm. In dawp sand and shingle on the banks of rivers and streams 3 very rare; first taken by Dr. Sharp aud Mr. Crotch on the banks of the Bowmont, at Yetholm, Northumberland, and subsequently by Dr. Sharp in the Solway and Tweed districts of Scotland ; it has also been taken by Mr. Waterbouse (to whom I am indebted for my specimen) near Ripon ; it often occurs in company with Thinobius longipennis, to which it bears a considerable superficial resemblance, EURYPTILIUM, Matthews. This genus was formed by Mr. Matthews to include the species described by Gillmeister as Trichopteryx saxonica, and usually known as Ptilium saxonicum ; it is very distinct from Ptilium by reason of its broader form, and by having the abdomen entirely covered by the elytra, 136 CLAVICORNIA. [ Zuryptilium. as well as by the thorax being broadest at base; the species is very rare en the Continent, as far as it is at present known, but has been taken by Dr. Sharp in some numbers in Scotland among bones and hides, =H. saxonicum, Gill. Oval, convex, fuscous, thickly clothed with pale pubescence ; head broad, eyes large, not prominent, antenne yellow, rather long and slender; thorax large, subquadrate, with sides gently rounded, widest at base, very closely covered with moderate-sized tubercles, posterior angles right angles; scutellum very small; elytra rather long, with sides slightly rounded, completely covering abdomen, deeply asperate, and appearing as if reticulate, apices very broad, sutural angles obtuse ; legs yellow, tarsi rather short ; under-side fuscous, with the mouth, coxz, and apex of abdomen lighter. L. $2 mm. Under bones and hides; taken in some numbers by Dr. Sharp in the Dee and Solway districts of Scotland. NOSSIDIUM, Erichson. This genus contains two European species and one or two from America ; from Huryptilium it is distinguished by its larger size, and oval and more convex form, and by the structure of the skeleton of the under surface of the body ; from all our other allied genera it may be known by having the thorax broadest at base ; its oval-convex shape and strong pubescence give it an appearance different from the ordinary Trichopterygide, and at first sight it looks as if its affinities were rather towards certain members of the Corylophide. N. pilosellum, Marsh. (Ferrarii, Redt.; v. brunneum, Marsh. ; v. nitidulum, Marsh.). Broad and ovate, very strongly convex, castaneous, but variable in colour, the head and thorax being often darker than the elytra, thickly clothed with long yellow pubescence; head short, eyes somewhat prominent, antenne clear yellow; thorax large, much longer and broader than head, dilated behind, widest at base, with sides slightly rounded, and rather plainly margined, posterior angles acute, not produced, remotely punctured ; elytra broadest at shoulders, semi- ovate, deeply punctured, with the interstices rugose, narrowed at apex ; legs rather long, clear yellow, anterior tibie dilated at apex. L. 1-14 mm, On rotten stumps or in damp rotten wood; also in fungi, dead leaves, &c.; found rather rarely, but locally abundant ; Birch Wood and Claygate (Champion); Darenth (Power) ; Littlington (Power); Hunstanton, Norfolk (Blatch); Needwood Forest near Burton-on-Trent (Gorham). PTENIDIUM, Erichson. This genus contains at present upwards of thirty species from Europe and the Atlantic Islands, and from North and Central America; they i a Ty its ah Ptenidium.] CLAVICORNIA. 137 are smooth and shining insects with a harder integument than is found in most of the Trichopterygide; the pygidium is always covered, and the sculpture is variolose; eleven species are found in Britain which may be distinguished as follows :— I. Head and thorax more or less deeply foveolate- punctate, i, Sculpture of elytra deeper. 1. Form narrower and more elongate; thorax broadest a little before middle ; basal fovez absent _(habitat on the coast in seaweed or shingle) . . P. PUNCTATUM, Gy/i. 2. Form broader; thorax broadest about middle ; basal foveze well marked . P. Kraatazi, Matth. ii. Sculpture of elytra feeble ; thorax broadest behind middle ; basal foveze absent or very indistinct . . P. FUSCICORNE, Er. II. Head and thorax almost smooth and impunctate. i. Thorax with four large foveze at base. 1, Head without large punctures near eyes “ pedi punctured in finerows . . . Sea P. nitipuM, Heer, 2. Head with three large punctures near each eye; 3; elytra almost impunctate; basal fovezo very large anddeep . . P, LEVIGATUM, Gyll. ii, Thorax with four small foveso at base, which | are in some cases absent. 1. Elytra reddish-castaneous. A. Therax strongly contracted just at base, forming an angle with the elytra. a. Form very broad and turgid ; thorax more narrowed in front; eyes more prominent; elytra rather deeply punctured. P, TuRGIDUM, Thoms. b. Form narrower and less turgid ; thorax less ‘ narrowed in front; se more epee punctured. . . P. FORMICETORUM, Kr. B. Thorax not contracted | at base, forming a continuous ontline with elytra, which are much dilated; basal foverw absent , . . . . . P. Gressnenri, Er. 2, Hlytra black. A. Sides of thorax strongly rounded, broadest between middle and base, much more narrowed in front than behind; basal fovese absent or very minute. . P. EVANEsSCENS, Marsh. B. Sides of thorax moderately rounded, broadest about middle. a. Form broader, elytra larger, with large and shallow confused punctures. . . . P. ATOMAROIDES, Mots. b. Form narrower; elytra smaller, with rows of rather small and deep punctures . . . P, Wanxowtuzir, Matth. The species are variable as regards habitat; some are found in hot- beds, dead leaves, &c., or by sweeping; others appear to live solely in ants’ nests, while one or two are only found on the seashore in seaweed or shingle, and a few occur under bark and in decaying wood. P. punctatum, Gyll. (littoralis, Mots., alutacea, Gill.). Elongate- oval, rather narrow, deep black, shining, rather sparingly clothed with 138 CLAVICORNIA. [Ptenidium. silvery hairs, entire upper surface impressed with large deep punctures, which are smaller and more remote on the head, and placed more closely together on the thorax than on the elytra, where they are distinctly arranged in longitudinal rows; head rather small, eyes prominent, antenne long and slender, pitchy ; thorax short, with sides rounded and strongly margined, broadest at middle; scutellum large, with a deep puncture on each side at base; elytra rather narrow, with sides moderately rounded, distinctly margined, apices very obtuse, lighter ; legs long and slender, pitchy; under-side glabrous, pitchy, with the mouth, coxee, and apex of abdomen, lighter. L. 7 mm. Under seaweed on the sea-coast ; sometimes in profusion in warm days in spring, flying and settling on the low rocks and shingle; locally common; Whitstable ; Bognor; Kingsgate; Shoreham; Littlehampton; Isle of Wight, Ventnor, in pro- fusion in April; Chesil Beach; Falmouth; Fowey; Plymouth; Starcross; Liver- pool district ; Northumberland and Durham district; Scotland, Clyde district ; Ireland, near Dublin, 4 P. fuscicorne, Er. (picipes, Matth.). Ovate, very convex and shining, black, sparingly clothed with silvery hairs; head large, im- pressed with two large punctures on each side, eyes large, prominent, antenne rather Jong and slender, pitchy; thorax moderate, dilated behind, broadest behind middle, and contracted just before base, with large remote punctures irregularly scattered over disc ; scutellum large and very broad, with a large puncture at base ; elytra rather short, ovate, remotely and rather feebly punctured, apex lighter; legs long, pitchy, rarely yellow. L. 2mm. Marshy places; in moss and at roots of grass; local but not uncommon where it occurs; Lee; Caterham; Eltham; Gumley, Leicestershire; Parkhurst Forest (Isle of Wight), in nests of F. rufa (J. J. Walker). P. nitidum, Heer. (pusillum, Er.). The smallest of our species ; ovate, strongly convex, deep black, very shining, very sparingly clothed - with extremely short silvery hairs; head large, rather prominent, eyes large, prominent, antenne yellow, with the two apical joints more or less fuscous; thorax moderate, with sides strongly dilated and rounded, broadest a little behind middle, impunctate, with four large fovezx at base, and two small fovese near anterior margin; scutellum with large punctures; elytra ovate, broadest near shoulders and strongly narrowed to apex which is lighter, finely and remotely punctured in rows ; legs long and slender, clear yellow; under-side shining black with cox yellow. L. vix } mm. In moss, vegetable refuse, dung-heaps, &c., also by sweeping; common and gene- rally distributed. ‘ The very small size of this species will at once distinguish it from our other commoner species. P.levigatum, Gyll. Closely allied to P. nitidum, but distinguished by its somewhat greater size, much larger head (which has three large Ptenidium.] CLAVICORNIA. 139 punctures on each side near eye, arranged triangularly), larger eyes, and less rounded sides of thorax, the basal fovesw of which are larger; the elytra also are more indistinctly punctured and are more narrowed towards apex. L,. $-7.mm. Very rare; Gumley, Leicestershire (in moss) ; recorded by Parfitt as very rare in the Exeter districts, and by Murray from Scotland, but these records are very probably erroneous; Ireland (Haliday), P. evanescens, Marsh (apicale, Er.; terminale, Hal.). Ovate, rather broad, strongly convex, black, very shining, with the apex of elytra broadly rufo-testaceous, sparingly clothed with rather long silvery hairs ; head moderate, eyes rather large, prominent, antenne long, clear yellow, with the club more or less fuscous ; thorax rather short, broadest behind middle, with four obsolete foveze near base, sometimes scarcely visible, and two near anterior margin, and also a transverse impression near posterior angles, which are obtuse; dise remotely and obsoletely punctured ; scutellum moderate, with three punctures at base; elytra ovate, very convex, broadest a little before middle, narrowed to apex, with rows of shallow and rather remote punctures; legs rather long, clear yellow, basal joints of all the tarsi slightly dilated ; under-side black, shining, with the coxe yellow, and the mouth, and sometimes abdomen, lighter. L. 1-1§ nim. In cut grass, vegetable and haystack refuse, hot-beds, &.; common and generally distributed, P. atomaroides, Mots. Oblong oval, very convex and shining; sparingly clothed with very short greyish hairs, deep black, with the extreme apex of elytra lighter; head rather small, with four rather large punctures near each eye, eyes moderate, not prominent, antenne long and slender, clear yellow; thorax small, transverse, broadest near middle, sides slightly rounded, with four obsolete impressions at base, dise feebly punctured ; scutellum moderate, with two impressions near middle ; elytra large and ample, obtuse-oval, broadest at middle, with rather large, shallow, more or less irregular punctures; legs long and slender, clear yellow, tibie slightly dilated at apex. L. 1-1} mm. In flood refuse, on the banks of rivers, &c.; local but not rare in the London district; Egham, Walton-on-Thames, and Weybridge, Surrey; Staines ; Sunbury ; Brandon, Suffolk. This species is easily distinguished from P. evanescens, to which it is allied, by its smaller head and thorax, and much longer and broader elytra, as well as by its sculpture. P. Wankowiezii, Matth. (intermedium, Wank.). This species is very closely allied to P. evanescens, and hardly requires a separate de- scription ; it may be distinguished from that species by its somewhat narrower form, more distinct sculpture, and rather smaller thorax, which has the sides less dilated, and the basal foves more distinctly 140 CLAVICORNIA. [ Ptenidium. marked, and it is also less convex on the upper surface; the colour is sometimes lighter, L. 7-1 mm. Rare; Gumley, in vegetable refuse ; under birch bark, Scarborough (Wilkinson) ; Mabberley, Cheshire (Chappell) ; Northumberland district (Bold); Scotland, Forth district (Sharp). This species has been regarded as a variety of P. evanescens, but appears to be distinct. P. Kraatzii, Matth. Ovate, pitchy-black, very shining, very sparingly clothed with extremely short yellow hairs; head moderate, with two or three large punctures near each eye, eyes large and pro- minent, antenne long, clear yellow; thorax rather small, broadest at middle, sides evenly and not very strongly rounded, with four plain foves at base, the interior pair much smaller than the exterior; head and thorax shallowly punctured ; scutellum large, with four impressed punctures at base ; elytra dark rufo-piceous, often almost black, ovate, broadest before middle, distinctly punctured in rows, apex lighter; legs clear yellow ; under-side rufo-piceous, mouth and cox yellow. L. # mm. In nests of Formica fusca; rare; first taken by Mr. Foxcroft in Scotland, pro- bably near Rannoch, and subsequently found by myself in refuse taken from ants’ nests in Buddon Wood, Leicestershire. This species differs from P. formicetorum by its somewhat smaller size, narrower form, and more distinct sculpture, and also by the usually darker colour of its elytra. P. formicetorum, Kr. Ovate, rather short, very convex, glabrous and shining, head and thorax black, elytra rufo-piceous, or rufo-castane- ous, sparingly clcthed with silvery hairs; head moderate, with two foveze on vertex, eyes rather small, not prominent, antenne rather short, clear yellow ; thorax very smooth and shining, dilated behind, broadest behind middle, with four minute fovez at base and two very small ones near anterior margin; scutellum moderate, with three small punctures at base ; elytra ovate, rather short, very convex, broadest before middle, punctured ini rows ; legs clear yellow, tarsi slightly dilated ; under-side rufo-piceous, with head, cox, and abdomen lighter. L. ?-2 mm. In nests of Formica rufa and F. fuliginosa; local; Chatham, Tilgate, Exher; Guestling, Hastings ; Edghaston; Sutton and Knowle near Birmingham; Withing- ton, Cheshire; Liverpool district ; Northumberland district; a sma!l, dark form occurs near Liverpool. P. turgidum, Thoms. Very broad, turgid, and convex, dark pitchy- red, sparingly clothed with very short silvery hairs; head rather short and prominent, eyes large, strongly prominent, antenne pale yellow, with the last two joints darker ; thorax widened behind, broadest a little before base, with four small fovee near base and two minute fove near anterior margin ; scutellum short and broad ; elytra rather short. ee ee S =). ; 2 ; : ; ‘ zim Ptenidium. | " QOLAVICORNIA. 141 and very broad, distinctly punctured in rows, wings black visible in some specimens beneath elytra ; legs long, yellow, tibia slightly dilated ; under-side rufo-piceous, mouth, coxe and abdomen lighter. L. 1-1} mm. In rotten wood, usually in company with ants; rare; Strood, Kent (Champion) ; near London, 1862 (Waterhouse); Cobham Park; New Forest (Sharp and Gorham) ; Scarborough (Wilkinson); Mr, Blatch has also taken it in the New Forest in fungi. This species may easily be known by its obtuse and turgid shape and the shining pitchy-red colour of the whole body. P. Gressneri, Er. Entirely oval in shape, with the thorax broadest at base and continuous in outline with the elytra, a point which separates it from our other species, which all have the thorax contracted at base ; colour rufous or rufo-piceous ; head rather large, eyes small, antenne long, clear yellow; thorax short, glabrous, without basal foves ; scutellum short and broad ; elytra broad, ovate, broadest before middle, acuminate behind, scarcely punctured ; wings black, usually visible underneath the transparent elytra; legs long, slender, clear yellow; under-side rufo- piceous, with head and thorax® lighter, last segment of the abdomen, coxe, and metasternum, yellow. L. 7-1 mm. In rotten wood, chiefly in company with F. fuliginosa; rare; discovered by Mr. Blatch in June, 1883, in the New Forest in fungi; and subsequently found by Mr. Gorham and Dr. Sharp in the same locality ; Mr. Blatch has since taken it in Sher- wood Forest under bark. CORYLOPHIDZ. The members of this family are very small, oval or rounded insects, which approach the Trichopterygide in having their wings fringed with long hairs ; they differ, however, in having the maxille unilobed and the tarsi 4-jointed (the third joint being small, and concealed in an emargi- nation of the second joint), and in the fact that the wings are much shorter ; the maxillary palpi are also differently formed and are some- times very curious; the genus Aphanocephalus, which appears to be widely distributed in the East of Asia is now rightly separated by Mr. Matthews, and regarded as a family distinct in itself, called Pseudo- corylophide ; the species of this genus have the maxillary palpi apparently 3-lobed, and the tarsi are truly 3-jointed ; the wings, moreover, are very differently formed. The Corylophide are universally distributed in the temperate and tropical regions of the world ; at present seventeen genera and more than 150 species have been described; the Rev. A. Matthews is at present engaged on a monograph of the group, which, when completed, will be almost as valuable a contribution to our study of the minute Coleoptera as his well-known “ Trichopterygia Illustrata;” we may, therefore, expect that the number of species will be largely increased. > 142 CLAVICORNIA. [ Corylophida. In the Annals and Magazine of Natural History (February, 1887, p. 116), Mr. Matthews discusses the question of the position of the family ; as it is one concerning which there has been, and still is; much doubt, it may be well to quote his words :— In our present systematic- arrangement the true Corylophide seem to occupy a very false position. From the peculiar formation of their antenne, and from their large, elongate, and either free or prominent anterior coxe, as well as from the general arrangement of the parts of the external skeleton of their under- side, it is impossible to overlook their close affinity to the Silphide. It therefore appears to me that the most natural arrangement would be to place the Corylophide immediately before the Silphide. Many genera present an external appearance so like the Anisotomina that it is difficult at first to determine whether they do or do not belong to that tribe. In Peltinus and some others the prosternum is reduced to the smallest possible dimensions, as it is in Agathidium, and leaves the coxal cavities open on both sides. Thus by placing the Corylophid# before the Silphide, in proximity to the Anisotomina, a much greater harmony of form and anatomy would be attained than by keeping them in their present position or by removing them elsewhere. In the foregoing remarks I refer only to the true Corylophide. Those species which I propose to call Pseudocorylophide I would retain in the position they now occupy near the Coccinellide.” There are six European genera contained in the family, of which four are represented in Britain ; Arthrolips, Woll., and Moronillus, Duv. (Gleosoma, Woll.) are of more southern distribution. I. Thorax emarginate at apex; head exposed; antennz O-jointed. “ss ams. Gra ee eee en ae IL. Thorax semicircular, with apex rounded ; head concealed, i. Upper surface glabrous; posterior angles of thorax. slightly prolouged; avtennw 10-jointed. . . . . » Corynornus, Sleph. ii. Upper surface pubescent. 1. Posterior angles of thorax much prolonged ; antenngo LO-jointed sss. a eh ah ay een ae ns 2. Posterior angles of thorax right angles, not pro- longed ; antenna 11-jointed . ee a ey ORTHOPERUS, Steph. Sgricoprervs, Steph. Sactum, Le Conte. ORTHOPERWUS, Stephens. The genus Orthoperus is made up of very minute orbicular insects, which, in comparison with the other members of the family, are some- what depressed ; it is distinguished from the other Corylophide by its exserted head and emarginate apex of thorax, and also by the long incurved anterior tibie, and 9-jointed geniculate antenne, of which the fifth joint is generally much larger than the sixth. In the last European catalogue nine species are enumerated, of which three only have until recently been supposed to be found in Britain. Mr. Matthews, however, in the Entomologist’s Monthly Magazine for 1885, vol. xxii. p. 107, a Orthoperus. | CLAVICORNIA. 143 published a monograph on the British species, in which he described two new species, and brought the number found in Britain up to eight. The larva and pupa of Orthoperus brunnipes (piceus) are figured by Perris Ann. Fr. 1852, pl. xiv.; the larva is 1} mm. in length, ovate, and rather broad, narrowed in front and behind ; the head is small, of a dirty white colour ; the prothorax is large, much narrowed in front, with a large dark divided spot; the rest of the segments are whitish, brownish at the sides; there are no distinct cerci; the whole body is covered with small papillae and hairs; the pupa is white without any hairs or appendages, and is considerably narrowed in front, and almost parallel-sided behind. Iam indebted to the kindness of Mr. Matthews for the following table of the species :— I. Colour black. i. Size large. 1. Form attenuated posteriorly . . . . .. O. Kioxt, Wank. 2. Formoval. . . : O. BRUNNIPES, Gy/l. ii. Size small; surface elegantly. alutaceous* . O. munpus, Malth. II. Colour castaneous or testaceous. i. Size larger. 1. Surface impunctate, antenne very long, ene yellow O. corticatis, Redt. 2. Surface of “elytra distinctly ‘and closely pune- tured, antenne short, piceous . O. punctatutus, Matth. 3. Surface alutaceous, almost impunctate, antenne long, bright yellow . . . oh te O. atoms, Gyil. ii. Size smaller. 1. Surface alutaceous throughout . O. cortacrevs, Rey. 2. Surface not alutaceous ; ae deeply ‘pune- SUPER GU iene eee ee ae. . O. atomanrivs, Heer. O. Kluki, Wank. (drunnipes, Brit. Cat.). Black or pitchy-black, short, subovate, with the elytra somewhat attenuate behind; antennz rather long, with club pitchy ; thorax transverse, narrowed in front, con- tinuous in outline with elytra ; elytra with apex often lighter, very finely and diffusely punctured; legs piceous. L, 2-1 mm. In moss, vegetable refuse, &c.; local, but not uncommon in some places; Putney, Leith Hill, Cobbam, Loughton, Sheerness ; Burwell Fen; New Forest; Scotland, local, Forth and Dee districts. O. brunnipes, Gyll. (nec Brit. Cat). The species that bears this name in the continental collections differs from O. Kluki, as remarked by Mr. Matthews J. c. p. 108, in its rather smaller size, perfectly oval form, which is not attenuate behind, paler legs and antenne, and especially by a distinct row of punctures ‘within the basal margin of the thorax. L. = mm. One British specimen is at present known, which is in Mr. Wilkinson’s * ee specimens of this species are more or less castaneous. 144 CLAVICORNIA. [ Orthoperus. collection, now in the possession of Mr, Mason, and was probably taken at Scarborough. O. mundus, Matth. Broad, rounded, slightly depressed, deep black, alutaceous, not shining ; head large, eyes very prominent, antennz rather long, yellow, with the club pitchy-black and the fifth joint longer but not broader than the sixth. Thorax broad, widest at the base, mi- nutely alutaceous, with three faint impressions near the base, margins pale, posterior angles nearly right angles. Elytra widest near middle, rather deeply alutaceous, marked with small equi-distant punctures arranged in stria, margins pale, apex much rounded and pale; legs short, very slender, anterior tibis much incurved ; under-side pitchy. L. $ mm. This species was found rather commonly by the Rev. A. Matthews and his brothers in a small spot at Weston-on-the-Green, Oxfordshire, but has never been met with in any other locality. O. corticalis, Redt. This is the largest of the pale castaneous species ; it may be known by its broadly oval form, pale castanecous colour, and bright yellow legs and antenne, of which the fifth joint is scarcely longer than the sixth; the anterior tibie are unusually long and much incurved. L. 1 mm. Two specimens have been taken by the Rev. A. Matthews in Sherwood Forest ; it has also occurred at Leith Hill, Surrey. O. punctatulus, Matth. Oval, moderately convex, shining, cas- taneous, alutaceous throughout, with the elytra rather closely punctured ; head moderate, eyes not prominent, antenne rather short, ferruginous, with the club black, sixth joint not smaller than the fifth ; thorax small, indistinctly punctured, with margins yellow ; elytra long, widest near the middle, with apex obtuse ; legs rather large, ferruginous. L. { mm. One specimen taken by Mr. Matthews near Gumley, Leicestershire, is the only example known. - O. atomus, Gyll. This species may be distinguished by its short oval and rather convex form, remote and almost invisible punctuation, and large yellow antenney, of which the fifth-joint is much larger than the sixth ; legs yellow. L. 2mm. In vegetable and haystack refuse, &c., Leith Hill, Surrey, Sheerness, The Holt, Farnham, Weston-super-Mare ; Robin’s Wood, Repton; Ireland, near Waterford. Mr. Matthews says that it is the most abundant of the British species ; it is probably widely distributed, but often overlooked, owing to its minute size; this also is most likely the case with several of the other species, O. coriaceus, Rey. This species may be known by its small size, oval and rather narrow shape, somewhat bright, though dark, castaneous colour, small head and thorax, large shallow punctures on elytra, robust yellow antennz, and long slender legs. L. § mm. Found in the London district, but I do not know the locality. pa Orthoperus. | OLAVICORNIA. . 145 ©. atomarius, Heer. The smallest species of the genus; ovate, rather convex, of a pale castaneous or testaceous colour, with the sides and apex of elytra sometimes rather darker ; sculpture distinct, although delicate ; the colour and minute size will at once distinguish it from all the other species. L. } mm. Found abundantly by Mr. Crotch at Devizes, and in small numbers by Professor Allen Harker at Gloucester ; it occurs in cellars, and feeds on the fungus Zasmidium cellare. Professor Harker tells me that he once dissected out the cesophagus of one of these insects, and that he found it full of chopped mycelium ; it is found in company with Atomaria nigripennis and certain species of Cryptophagus. CORYLOPHUS, Stephens. Only two European species are contained in this genus, both of which are found in Britain ; the species are distinguished from Orthoperus by having the head concealed, and the thorax semicircular with apex rounded, and from Sericoderus and Saciwm by having the upper surface glabrous ; authors differ with regard to the number of joints of the antenne ; some mention them as 10-jointed, others as 9-jointed; as a matter of fact, they appear to be really, if not apparently, 10-jointed. I, Colour darker; punctuation of elytra distinct . . . C. casstprorpEs, Marsh. II. Colour lighter ; punctuation of elytra scarcely visible . C. SUBLmVIPENNIS, Duv. C. cassidioides, Marsh. Short oval, moderately convex, more or less narrowed to apex, pitchy-black, with the margins of thorax and more or less of the apical half of the elytra reddish-testaceous ; the colour is variable, the thorax being sometimes entirely reddish-testaceous except for a dark spot on dise ; head fuscous, plainly visible beneath the trans- parent anterior margin of thorax, antenne testaceous ; thorax semicircular, with posterior angles acute and somewhat prominent, very finely and diffusely punctured and distinctly alutaceous; elytra very plainly punc- tured towards base, almost impunctate at apex, distinctly alutaceous ; abdomen black, very finely pubescent; legs entirely testaceous. L. = mm. In vegetable refuse, decaying seaweed, at roots of plants, &c.; not uncommon in many localities in the London district and the South of England. Darenth Wood, Reigate, Putney, Gravesend, Sheerness; Birchington ; Brighton ; Glanvilles Wootton ; Isle of Wight; Weymouth; Devon; Swansea ; Wicken and Quy Fens, Cambridge ; Sulford Priors, Evesham ; Ireland, Malahide, near Dublin; it has not appareutly beeu found in the North of England or in Scotland. C. subleevipennis, Duy. Very like the preceding, but easily dis- tinguished by its lighter colour (the thorax being, as a rule, entirely testaceous), shorter form, and less close punctuation, which is more diffuse and muclr finer on the elytra ; the elytra are also less contracted behind. L. 2 mm. In vegetable refuse, flood refuse, &c.; rare; first described as taken in Britain at Weymouth in the autumn of 1863 by Mr. Crotch and Dr. Sharp; Mr. Matthews, VOL. III. Li 146 CLAVICORNIA. [ Corylophus. however, has specimens in his possession taken long before this date. Reigate; Southsea ; Gravesend; Herne Bay; Weymouth; Selsea Bill, under stones near shore. I believe that it has been taken in Ireland by Haliday. SERICODERWS, Stephens. Two European species are contained in this genus; it may easily be known from Corylophus by its pubescent. upper surface, and also by its broad, subparallel elytra, which are subtruncate, although rounded, at apex ; from Sacium it differs in having the posterior angles of the thorax acute and strongly produced. S. lateralis, Gyll. Rather short, broad, subovate, with the elytra subparallel, very gradually narrowed to apex which is broad and subtrun- cate ; colour testaceous or reddish-testaceous, with the head blackish, very distinctly apparent beneath the transparent anterior margin of thorax ; upper surface clothed with long pale pubescence; antenne 10-jointed ; thorax subtransverse, semicircular, with the posterior angles acute and produced, scarcely punctured ; elytra considerably convex towards base and gradually depressed towards apex, very finely punctured, broader at base than thorax ; legs testaceous, L. $ mm. In haystack and vegetable refuse ; local ; London district, generally distributed and common; Folkestone; Glanvilles Wootton; Cheddar; Repton; Lincoln; Ireland, near Waterford. SAcCIUM, Le Conte (Clypeaster, Latr.). This genus is very widely spread over the surface of the globe, and will probably prove to be a very numerous one. Several very interesting species have lately been discovered by Mr. Champion in Central America, and have been described by Mr. Matthews; it is distinguished by its 11-jointed antenne from all our other Corylophides, and may be separated from Sericoderus, to which it is most closely allied, by having the posterior angles of the thorax right angles and not produced; eight European species are known, of which one only is found in Britain ; only two specimens, however, have hitherto been taken in this country. S. pusillum, Gyll. Oblong-oval, not strongly convex, rather shin- ing, clothed with thick pale pubescence ; colour black with the thorax testaceous with fuscous disc; the colour of the thorax is, however, vari- able and scmetimes is pitchy-black with two spots at apex, and the margins, yellowish-brown ; upper surface very finely punctured; thorax not transverse, with the posterior angles right angles, not produced, base slightly produced before scutellum; legs reddish-brown or fuscous. L. 13-2 mm. Under bark ; very rare; one specimen was taken many years ago by Mr. Wollaston, but was, I believe, accidentally destroyed, and a second has been recently found on an orange in Birmingham by Mr. W. G. Blatch. ; j Spheriide.] OLAVICORNIA. 147 SPHARIIDZ. This family contains one genus, Sphwrius, which is closely allied to the Trichopterygide on the one hand and the Corylophides on the other; the form is very small, round, convex, and glabrous; the maxilla have only one lobe ; the antenne are 11-jointed with a loose 3-jointed club; the intermediate and posterior coxe are distant, the tarsi are 3-jointed, and the abdomen is composed of three segments ; the wings are fringed with long hairs. SPHZERIUS, Waltl. (Microsporus, Kol.). Two species are contained in this genus, S. acaroides from Europe, and S. politus from California ; it will, however, probably prove to be more * extensive. * S. acaroides, Walt]. (obsidianus, Kol.). A very minute, round, convex species; black, glabrous, very shining; thorax transverse, much broader at base than apex, with sides very little rounded; elytra broadest in middle ; antennz yellowish in me legs pitchy-brown. L. 2 mm. In marshy places, on mud, or under stones near water; first taken by Rev. A. Mat. thews at Weston-on-the- Green, Oxfordshire, in 1845, secondly by Rev. H. Matthews at Gumley, Leicestershire in 1855, and subsequently in plenty in Wicken Fen, Cam- bridgeshire by Mr. Crotch. PHALACRIDA, This family consists of some five or six genera of ovate or sub-hemi- spherical convex insects, which are found in flowers or under bark; the species are very shining and scarcely, if at all, pubescent ; the head is inserted, with the eyes half hidden; the antenne are 11-jointed with club 3-jointed; the thorax is truncate at base, margined at sides ; the mesosternuin, which is very short, is emarginate and receives the pro- longed prosternum; the anterior coxal cavities are open behind ; + the tarsi are 5-jointed. I. All the tarsi of equal length ; tibiee without distinct apical spurs; last joint of maxillary palpislender. . . . PwHaracrvs, Payr. II. Posterior tarsi longer than the anterior and intermediate pairs; tibie with distinct apical spurs; last joint of PE cca palpi oval. . Metasternuin prolonged beyond intermediate coxe ; elytra with two deeper striw near suture . . . - . Oxtsrvs, Er. ii. Metasternum not prolonged beyond intermediate "Coxe ; ; elytra with one deeper stria near suture . . . . . . Sriusus, Seidl. * Since I wrote the above Mr, Matthews has informed me that he has eight or ten undescribed species. + Thomson in error says that they are closed (Skand, Col, i. 65), L 2 148 OLAVICORNIA. [ Phalacrus. PHALACRUS, Paykull. This genus contains about thirty or forty species which are widely distributed, representatives occurring in North America, Cuba, South America, India, Ceylon, New Caledonia, &c. ; it will probably be found to comprise a much larger number of species than are at present known ; there are about a dozen members of the genus found in Europe, of which five o:cur in Britain ; these are all shining black insects, bearing a close resemblance to one another, and are mostly taken by sweeping herbage. The species may be divided as follows, but the differences, as will be seen, are mainly comparative, although obvious when the insects are viewed side by side. I. Form ovate, more or less convex. i. Size larger; elytra with scarcely visible traces of punctured strie; interstices very finely and closély punctured Ee Seer Mar he nk ty fo ii. Size smaller; elytra with moderately distinct although finely punctured strie ; interstices much less closely punctured. 1. Form rather depressed, not acuminate behind ; punctures of strie of elytra closer and less distinct. A. Shorter oval; punctures of striae more delicate and of interstices almost obsolete . . . . . P. Brisouri, Rye. B. Longer oval; punctures of strizve and interstices more distinct... 0s \@Mbatiie ae ten! . aye wip ee ER DANES arene, 2. Form very convex, subglobose, acuminate behind ; punctures of strive of elytra less close and more Gistincs. . . . © « «© © sue waa Jala os ks SURSTRIATUS, (Gait. II. Form elliptical, upper surface rather depressed ; sculp- ture of elytra rather distinct . . . . . . .'. . P. caricrs, Sturm. P. conruscus, Payk. P. corruscus, Payk. Oval, broad, convex, shining-black; head very finely punctured, anterior margin sinuate in male, truncate in female; antenne black, long and slender, with a slender but well- marked club; mandibles often projecting, terminating in a trifid point ; thorax very finely punctured, slightly sinuate on each side near scutellum ; elytra with a distinct sutural stria which is abbreviated in front, and with very fine traces of other strie, interstices extremely closely and finely punctured ; under-side black, clothed with short greyish hairs ; legs black with the claws reddish-brown, sometimes entirely brownish, intermediate femora terminating in an obtuse tooth at apex, posterior femora rounded at apex ; size variable. L. 13-3 mm. In flowers, by sweeping, &c.; common and generally distributed throughout the London and southern districts, and rather common in the Midlands; rarer further north; Durham district, South Shields; Scotland, local, Tweed and Solway districts, V. Humberti, Tourn. This variety differs from the type in the somewhat stronger punctuation of the elytra and in the shape of the Phalacrus.] OLAVICORNIA, 149 club of the antenne; it is a small form, being about 14-2} mm. in length; it was introduced as a new species in Ent. Monthly Mag. ix. 37, but was afterwards abandoned as only a form of P. corruseus in Ent. Monthly Mag. xii. 177; it occurs not uncommonly in the London district, Sheerness, Chatham, Caterham, Darenth Wood, Whitstable, &e. P. Brisouti, Rye. Closely allied to P. corruscus, from which it differs in its average smaller size, its rather lighter-coloured fore-legs, tarsi, and antenne, the club of which is rather broader and not so long, and in its elytra being more obtusely rounded behind, and furnished with more evident, although very fine, punctured striew, the punctures of the interstices being much less close ; the apical joint of the antenna is conspicuously broader and shorter, and not so acuminate, but slightly flexuous on the inner-side towards the apex. L. 14-2 mm. By sweeping in damp places; rare; Rainham; Lewisham; Gravesend; Sheppy; Deal. P. brunnipes, Bris. This species appears to be very closely allied to P. Brisouti from which it differs in its somewhat longer ovate form, and in the rather more distinct punctured strie of elytra; it is also more convex; the interstices of the elytra which are confusedly and almost obsoletely punctured in P. Brisouti are furnished with an irre- gular row of punctures which are more feeble than those of the striz ; the species is also allied to P. substriatus, but differs in its lighter- coloured antenne and legs, its more elongate form, the more elongate club of its antennez, and the more obsolete and more finely punctured strie of its elytra. L. 14-2 mm. By sweeping on the banks of rivers and on the coast; rare; Lee pit (Rye) ; Lymington (Sharp) ; Chatham and Sheerness (Champion and J. J. Walker). P. substriatus, Gyll. This species is:very distinct by reason of its short oval, very corivex subglobose form, and plainly punctured striz of elytra; the elytra are somewhat acuminate behind, and the punctures of the striz are larger and set rather further apart than in the allied species, and the interstices are extremely finely punctured; the antenne are blackish, with the club rather distinct and broad, the apical joint being blunt ; the under surface is clothed with fine greyish hairs, and the last segment of the abdomen is furnished with biackish sete; the legs are blackish, rarely brownish, with the claws lighter. L. 2 mm. By sweeping, &c. ; rare; Isleof Wight ; New Forest ; Hunstanton ; Scarborough ; Scotland, rare, Lowlands, Tweed and Solway districts. P. caricis, Sturm. Elliptical, only slightly convex, deep black; antenne blackish, with the club moderately long but rather stout and distinct, last joint obtuse ; thorax short, strongly rounded at sides, base sinuate on each side near scutellum, very finely and obsoletely punctured 159 OLAVICORNIA. [ Phalacrus. towards sides ; elytra finely striate, with a rather close and regular row of very fine punctures near each siria, and each interstice furnished with a longitudinal row of punctures which are somewhat obsolete, although hardly smaller than those near stria; the sutural stria is rather deep — behind ; under-side with short and thin greyish pubescence ; legs dark pitchy-brown; the shape and sculpture will distinguish this from the allied species. Size variable. L. 13-2; mm. By sweeping in marshy places, on Carex. &c. ; local; Norwood ; Cowley ; Shipley, near Horsham ; Brandon, Suffolk; Norwich ; Glanvilles Wootton; Devon ; Swansea ; Horning, Wicken and Burwell Fens; Coleshill and Knowle, near Birmingham ; not recorded from further north. OLIBRUS, Erichson. This genus, taken in its widest sense, as including Sii/bus, comprises about fifty species, which are very widely distributed, representatives being found in North and South America, South Africa, Ceylon, &e. ; they are usually taken in flowers or at the roots of plants; thirteen species of the genus Olibrus proper oceur in Europe, of which seven are found in Britain; the genus is distinguished from Stilbus by having the metasternum prolonged between the intermediate cox, and the posterior femora emarginate and not widened on their inferior margin. I. Head and thorax brown; elytra reddish or brownish- yellow, with the suture and outer margin brown . . O. CoRTICALIS, Panz. Il. Upper surface b'ack or brownish with or without a more or Jess distinct metallic reflection. i, Length 2-25 mm. 1. Antennee black with basal joints reddish ; upper surface black with a metallic green tinge . . . O, mNEUS, F. 2. Antennz yellow or yellowish-red A. Colour brownish, gradually lighter towards apex; posterior angles of thorax obtuse . °S B. Colour deep bronze black ; posterior angles of thorax sharp right angles, slightly produced. a. Form longer and narrower . ... . O. PARTICEPS, Muls. b. Form shorter and broader. . .-. . . . QO. HELVETICUS, Tourn. ji. Length less than 2 mm. 1. Form broader and more convex; upper surface not lighter towards apex ; posterior angles of thorax Pighbiangyees a ee Re ee 2. Form narrower and less convex; upper surface lighter towards apex; posterior angles of thorax ObtMEe 6 eho he ow 6s) ones we) oe, 2 thle BE GOEMIA. Semmens O, trquinvs, Er. O. MILLEFOLII, Payk. @. corticalis, Panz. Oval, convex, shining; elytra testaceous with the suture and margins brown, head and thorax brownish ; head very finely and obsoletely punctured ; antenne reddish-yellow ; thorax im- punctate, rather lighter at sides, posterior margin sinuate near scutellum ; elytra with two distinct striw near suture, and with very feeble traces of other striz, interstices irregularly and very finely and delicately punc- Olibrus.} CLAVICORNIA, 151 tured ; legs and under-side reddish-yellow ; male with-the second joint of the anterior tarsi slightly dilated. L. 23-3 mm. By sweeping, and sometimes by beating ; local, but rather common in some places ; London district, generally distributed and not uncommon; Hastings; Eastbourne ; Isle of Wight; Bournemouth; Glanvilles Wootton; Exeter ; Swansea ; Huntingdon- shire; Sandringham, Norfolk; Northumberland district, rare, Hetton Hall, near Belford; Scotland, very rare, Forth district; Ireland, near Dublin; the species appears to be very rare in the Midland counties, if it occurs at all: I have never met with it, and Mr. Blatch does not mention it in his list. O. wneus, F, (multistriatus, Zett.). Rather long-oval, convex, nar- rowed behind, black with a greenish-metallic reflection, very shining ; head exceedingly finely punctured ; antennz black with the basal joints reddish (a character that will distingu‘sh it from all the other species except O. millefolit, which sometimes has the club dark, but is a very much smaller and quite black insect) ; thorax sparingly and very finely, almost invisibly, punctured, posterior margin sinuate on each side near scutellum ; elytra with two distinct strie near suture, and with the other striz very fine but moderately distinct for a member of the genus, inter- stices very finely punctured ; under-side pitchy-brown with thin and fine greyish pubescence ; legs variable in colour, as a rule pitchy, but occa- sionally pitchy-reddish or even yellowish; the apex of the elytra is sometimes obscurely pitchy. L. 2-2} mm. By sweeping, in flowers, &c.; common and generally distributed in the London district and the south, and not uncommon, although somewhat local, in the Midlands ; rarer further north; Northumberland district, local and rare; Scotland, Tweed district. Murray records the species as generally distributed, but Dr. Sharp has only met with it in the Cheviot district, so that Murray is probably in error, espe- cially if we consider the distribution of the insect in England. Ireland, near Dublin aud Waterford. It appears to be attached to Matricaria chamomilla. | OQ. liquidus, Er. Oblong-ovate, pitchy-black or browish, more or less gradually lighter towards apex of elytra; head very finely punctured, antennee and palpi yellow or reddish-yellow ; thorax slightly rounded at sides, upper surface very finely punctured, posterior angles obtuse ; elytra with the two striz near suture distinct, and with the other strizs mode- rately distinct but very fine; interstices finely punctured; legs and under-side reddish-yellow ; male with the second joint of the anterior tarsi very slightly enlarged. L. 2-25 mm. By sweeping, in flowers, &c.; local; London district, common and generally dis- tributed; Harwich; Dover; New Forest; Bournemouth; Weymouth; Weston- super-Mare; Tenby (common in flowers of Hieracium on the cliffs towards Lydstep); Barmouth ; not recorded from the Midland districts, the north of England or Scotland. O. bicolor has until recently been included in the British list, but has been dropped on the ground that the examples so named are merely large specimens of QO. liquidus; I have, however, a specimen from Dr. Power's collection which in some points agrees very well with the 152 CLAVICORNIA. [ Olibrus, descriptions of O. bicolor; the latter is apparently a larger and more ovate insect and more brightly coloured towards apex of elytra; it is also less convex and less narrowed behind, and has the two sutural striee deeper than in O. liquidus, but the rest of the striz rather more distinct ; in all the other characters except the striation the specimen given me by Dr. Power agrees with this description, in the latter character, however, it agrees with O. liquidus; the occurrence of tran- sitional forms makes it probable that the two species are not really distinct. Dr. Power’s specimens appear to represent O. bicolor, var. flavicornis of Waterhouse’s catalogue. : O. particeps, Muls. (afinis, Brit. Cat., mee Sturm.). Oval, convex, glabrous, upper-side black or pitchy-black, very shining, under-side reddish-testaceous ; head short, eyes prominent, mouth parts yellow ; antenne moderately long, testaceous yellow, with the last joint rather long ; thorax transverse, narrowed in front, troadly emarginate at apex, subtruncate at base,with the posterior angles sharp right angles, somewhat pro lvced, almost impunctate; elytra oval, slightly rounded at sides, a little narrowed towards apex, very convex, with two striz near suture well marked, and the other striz# very fine, almost obsolete on disc, _ interstices obsoletely punctured ; legs rather short, yellowish. L. 2-25 mm. By sweeping, &c.; rare; Boundstone; Weybridge; Folkestone; Glanvilles Wootton. This species has always been regarded as O. afinis until com- paratively recently; that species, however, appears to differ from it slightly in being longer and less metallic; it is, however, very closely related to it; the alteration of name was made by Mr. Rye (Ent. Monthly Mag. ix. 38). ©. helveticus, Tourn. Of this species I know nothing beyond the notice given of it by Mr. Rye (Ent. Monthly Mag. xii. 177); he says that a single example, taken by Mr. Champion at Caterham, in July, 1872, had been returned to him by M. Tourniér with this name, and that its shining black colour and rather evident elytral punctuation dis- tinguish it from all known British species except O. particeps, from which its broader and shorter form will suffice to separate it. As the name is given as O. helveticus, Tourniér MS., it seems that M. Tourniér described tle species on this example, and as the allied species are so closely con- nected it seems to require further confirmation. In the British catalogue published by Mr. Matthews and myself we omitted the species, but as it is included by Dr, Sharp in his last catalogue, and also in the European catalogue of Heyden, Reitter and Weise, it appears to be best to insert it provisionally, although it may turn out to be only a variety of one of the closely allied species. San Olibrus. | CLAVICORNIA. 153 O. millefolii, Payk. A small species, oval, very short and strongly convex, subglobose, deep black, very shining; head very finely punc- tured, antennz sometimes yellow, sometimes dusky yellowish, with the club and sometimes the first joint brownish, palpi black ; thorax impunc- tate, with the base slightly sinuate on each side near scutellum, posterior angles right angles ; elytra with the two striz near suture well marked, the other strie very fine and very finely punctured, interstices extremely finely punctured ; under-side clothedwith thin greyish pubescence ; legs sometimes black, but often lighter, and sometimes even yellowish, second joint of anterior tarsi considerably dilated in male. L. 13-12 mm. By sweeping; on flowers of Achillea millefolium ; Claygate, Caterham, Lee, Horsell, Southend; Brandon, Suffolk; Horning Fen; Kingsgate; Devon, Exmouth. Examples of this species with dark antenne are very like small speci- mens of QO. @neus, but may be distinguished by having no greenish metallic tinge on the elytra, and by the more convex and shorter oval form which is less narrowed behind, ©. pygmeeus, Sturm. Elongate-oval, strongly convex, black, shining, usually pitchy towards apex; antenne yellow or brownish- yellow ; palpi brownish-red; thorax as in the preceding species, but with the posterior angles obtuse; elytra with the two strie near suture distinct, and with traces of other strie, interstices extremely finely punctured ; under-side pitchy-brown, legs reddish-brown; very closely allied to O. millefolii, but distinctly more elongate and narrower, with the posterior angles of thorax not right angles, and the elytra pitchy towards apex. L. 1-1} mm. By sweeping; not common ; Darenth Wood, Shirley, Caterham, Ashtead, Woking, Cobham; Weybridge; Ashwicken; Horning Fen; Wickham and Burwell Fens; Cromer; Ipswich. In L’Abeille, 1885, Clavicornes, p. 18, the localities for O. ulicts, Gyll., are given as “ Suéde, Angleterre ;” the species, however, has not been recognized as from England by British Entomologists ; it appears to be closely allied to O. eneus, but nearly as small as O. pygmeus, from which it differs in its less ovate and elongate form, and the more distinct metallic reflection of its elytra; it is smaller, shorter, more convex and less metallic than O. eneus. STILBUS, Seidlitz. This genus has usually been included under Olibrus, but is distinguished by not having the metasternum prolonged beyond the intermediate coxe, and by the fact that the femora are widened and rounded on their inferior border; there are five European species of which three are found in Britain. 154 CLAVICORNIA. [Stilbus. I. Size larger, less elongate, and more convex; pos- terior angles of thorax right angles. i. Upper surface lighter or darker brown; becoming plainly lighter towards apex; elytra more nar- f rowed towards apex. . . . + «© © + « + « SS, TESTACEUS, Panz. (geminus, Ill.). ii, Upper surface brownish-black, obscurely lighter towards apex; elytra scarcely narrowed to apex . 8S, ATOMARIUS, L. (piceus, Steph.). II. Size smaller, more elongate, and less convex; pos- terior angles of thorax somewhat obtuse; upper surface nearly black; elytra either gradually or suddenly lighter before apex. . . . . . . . S, OBLONGUS, Er. S. testaceus, Panz. (geminus, Ill. ; consimilis, Marsh). Short oval, convex, darker or lighter brown passing into testaceous towards apex of elytra; head and thorax impunctate, antenne and mouth parts reddish- yellow ; thorax with the basal margin scarcely sinuate near scutellum, posterior angles sharp right angles; elytra with one stria near suture plainly marked, and with very slight traces of other striz, interstices smooth and shining; under-side reddish-brown, prosternum behind set with long hairs ; legs yellowish, tarsi paler, male with the second joint of the anterior tarsi rather distinctly widened. L. 2-23} mm. By sweeping, occasionally in haystack refuse, moss, &e.; abundant and generally distributed in the London district and the South, and not uncommon in the Midlands ; I do not, however, know of any record further north than Cleethorpes, Lincolnshire ; it is not recorded from the Northumberland district or from Scotland. S. atomarius, L. (piceus, Steph.). Allied to the preceding but smaller, less convex, and more strongly rounded in front and behind, so that it appears more elongate and parallel-sided; the colour also is different, being blackish-brown, or pitchy-black, gradually passing into pitchy-reddish-brown or obscure pitehy-brown at apex ; the elytra are considerably less narrowed behind ; the under-side is blackish-brown, with the last segment of abdomen and the legs reddish-brown; the pro- sternum behind is set with a distinct circle of longer hairs ; the elytra have one stria near suture plain and very faint traces of other striw, the interstices being impunctate ; occasionally examples occur with the stria a little more distinct. L. 14-2 mm. mu By sweeping; rare; Bungay and Ditchingam, Suffolk; West Ditton; Wicken en. S. oblongus, Er. Rather smaller than the preceding, less convex and more elongate, and more narrowed in front and behind ; colour variable, often very dark pitchy-brown almost’ black, obscurely lighter towards apex, sometimes suddenly and distinctly testaceous before apex, and occasionally entirely reddish-yellow (these specimens, however, are probably more or less immature); the head is very finely punctured, and the thorax very finely and obsoletely punctured, with the hind a ne Stilbus. | CLAVICORNIA. 155 margin not visibly sinuate near scutellum, and the posterior angles a little obtuse, and not sharp right angles as in the two preceding species ; elytra with one stria near suture well marked, and with other very fine longitudinal strie, the interstices being each furnished with a regular row of fine punctures, which are scarcely visible except under a high magnifying power; under-side brownish, last segment of abdomen and legs reddish, or reddish-yellow ; prosternum without a circle of hairs behind, L. 13-1 mm. Marshy places; in the stems of Typha latifolia ; local but sometimes common where it occurs; Snodland (Kent), Chatham, Gravesend, Sheppy, Dagenham; formerly found at Notting Hill; Birchington and Pegwell Bay ; Hastings; Horning Fen. It is worthy of notice that only four species of Phalacride are recorded from Scotland, and these are all local or rare in that country. COCCINELLIDZ. Of all the families of the Coleoptera there is hardly any which is at present in a more unsatisfactory state as regards classification than the Coccinellide ; many of the recognized genera rest on what appear to be purely specific differences, and these not always very strong ones ; a great deal of labour has been spent upon the family by Crotch, Mulsant, and others, and lately Herr Weise in the “ Bestimmungs-Tabellen der Euro- paischen Coleoptera” has given us a most useful monograph of the European species ; a complete and thorough revision, however, of all the exotic genera is needed before we ‘can at all attain to a correct idea of the group. Mr. Gorham is at present studying the family and collecting materials, but the genera and species are so numerous that we can hardly expect such a work from one who is so much occupied with other groups. According to the Munich catalogue the family contains 1450 species belonging to 104 genera; since the publication of the catalogue the increase may be roughly estimated at about ten per cent.; of these only about fifty species belonging to fifteen or sixteen genera occur in Britain. With regard to the general distribution of the Coccinellida Mr. Gorham writes to me as follows :—‘ The distribution is very remarkable and different to either of the two groups just mentioned (Endomychide and Erotylide), being, if I may call it so, more universal, every known part of the globe which supports any insect life having, as far as I can speak, an average number; the genera are very badly defined ; hence my ideas of geographical genera seem quite upset; Halyzia, for instance, has representatives in Europe, North and South America, China, Japan, India, Africa, Australia, and the Pacific Islands; or if again we take the large genus Epilachna (containing 223 species), although it has an Eastern and a New World type very different in appearance, yet these cannot be separated generically without the process (which must at last take place) of subdivision into many genera, as there are contingents from 156 OLAVICORNIA, [ Coccinellide. every part of the world, and these not very much differentiated. I think that a careful analysis of the Coccinellides would show that they are a northern temperate zone family, the tropical species having rather the appearance of being derived, than of being autochthonous.” The family may be known by the following characters : form convex, semi-globose or more rarely oblong-oval; head usually sunk in thorax which is emarginate in front ; species usually glabrous, but in some groups pubescent ; on this latter character Mulsant divides the family into two large series, the Gymnosomides and the Trichosomides ; the maxille are bilobed, and the maxillary palpi are 4-jointed, with the last joint large and almost always securiform; the antenne are moderate, short, or very short, inserted at the inner front margin of the eyes, with the base exposed or covered by a lobe of the clypeus; thorax transverse ; meso- sternum short, metasternum rather large ; abdomen usually with five free ventral segments, but occasionally with six or seven; the first segment is the longest, and is usually furnished with more or less distinct curved coxal lines, which are often made use of as generic characters ; legs short, more or less retractile, tarsi apparently three-jointed, but in reality four-jointed, the third joint being very minute and concealed in the lobes of the second joint ; asa rule, however, they are now considered and spoken of as three-jointed, as is the case with other families which were formerly reckoned under the old group Pseudotrimera. - The family may be divided into two series as follows :— Mandibles with more than two teeth at apex . . CoOCINELLIDE PHYTOPHAGE. Mandibles simple or bifid at apex . . . . + »« COOCINELLIDE APHIDIPHAGE. COCCINELLIDZ PHYTOPHAGZ. Of this series, which contains the large genus Epilachna and a few other small genera, only one genus and one species are found in Britain ; the members of the series are, during all periods of their growth, plant- feeders, and not carnivorous. SUBCOCCINELLA, Huber (Lusia, Mulsant). This genus contains one species which has been described under various names from different parts of Europe and the Caucasus, and from Algeria ; it is very variable as regards colour, no fewer than twenty- three forms being mentioned by Mulsant (Securipalpes, pp. 198-205). S. vigintiquatuorpunctata, L. (Lasia globosa, Schneid.). Very convex, almost hemispherical, not very shining, clothed with thick and very distinct greyish pubescence of a reddish or ferruginous colour, with black spots and patches on thorax and elytra, which are very variable, and are sometimes but rarely absent ; the upper surface is thickly but | distinctly punctured ; antenne reddish-testaceous, moderately long with Subcoccinella. | CLAVICORNIA. 157 somewhat elongate club; thorax short, broadest behind ; elytra some- what raised a little before middle; legs reddish-testaceous. L. 24- 3 mm. Sixth ventral segment subtruncate in male, somewhat rounded in female, By sweeping herbage in woods, lanes, &c.; often found in moss in winter ; locally common; Shirley, Mickleham, Chatham, Whitstable, Southend, &c.; Hastings ; Glanvilles Wootton ; Devon; Swansea; Barmouth ; Huntingdonshire; apparently very rare in the Midland counties, and not recorded from the Northumberland and Durham districts; Filey, Yorkshire; Lancaster, on Arundo phragmites ; Scotland, rare, Solway and Tweed districts. This insect is found, according to Mulsant, on Saponaria officinalis, vetches, lucerne, clovers, and varicus other plants, and also on certain trees ; it gnaws the parenchyma of the leaves, and makes marks on them as with a four-toothed comb as might be expected from the formation of the mandibles ; the larva lives on the same plants; it is yellowish, of somewhat elliptical shape, and more or less spinose, with a few dark markings, and with the last segment furnished with a small nipple-like anal appendage. COCCINELLIDZ APHIDIPHAGSZ, | The whole of the species belonging to this series are carnivorous, and in all their stages feed as a rule on Aphides; they are, therefore, of the greatest service to the farmer and the gardener; Coccinellide are often found in swarms on and about blighted fruit-trees, and many people erroneously assign the blighted appearance of the trees to the beetles, the true state of the case being that the beetles are attracted by the abun- dant supply of their usual food; in all probability no form of life, if we except perhaps the very lowest forms such as the bacteria, has a greater power of reproducing itself than the aphis; the females are both oviparous and viviparous, and one connection with the male suffices for the production of broods for many generations ; the generations succeed one another very rapidly, and Réaumur calculates that one aphis may be the progenitor of the enormous number of 5,904,900,000 individuals during the month or six weeks of her existence ; the whole of this interesting question will be found fully discussed in Buckton’s Monograph _ of British Aphides, vol. i. pp. 76, &c. ; Professor Huxley (Linn. Trans., vol. xxii, p. 215) makes a curious calculation, which is quoted by Buckton ; he shows that, assuming that an aphis weighs as little as 3,5 of a grain, and that it requires a man to be very stout to weigh more than two million grains, the tenth brood of Aphides alone, without adding the products of all the generations which precede the tenth, would, if all the members survived the perils to which they are exposed, contain more ponderable substance than five hundred millions of stout men ; that is, more: than the whole population of China. Aphides largely increase in sultry and cloudy weather; hence has arisen the saying so common in 158 ‘OLAVICORNIA. [ Cocctnellid@ aphidiphage. many parts of the country that the dark clouds are “ blight ;’ if, how- ever, we consider their rate of increase, we shall not be surprised that in a few hours trees, before flourishing, become blighted. Any check on this plague is of course of the greatest service, and the Coccinellide play a great part, especially in the larval state, in preserving the balance of nature. The larve of the Coccinellide are very common objects; they are broad in front and narrowed behind, and are covered with more or less distinct spines and tubercles; they are variously coloured; that of C. 7-punctata is one of the best known; it is about 10 mm. in length, of an ashy-grey or*bluish-grey colour, with two yellow spots on the anterior part of the prothoracic segment, and with the external tubercles of the fourth and seventh abdominal segments yellow, the others being black; the pupa is orange coloured, with a double row of black spots; before changing the larva attaches itself to a leaf by its last segment by means of a viscous substance which it secretes ; it then bends the anterior portion of the body up towards the apical portion; the tubercles then diminish in size, the hairs fall. off, and the skin splits on the back and shrinks in a wrinkled mass to the apex of the body (v. Chapuis et Candeze, Cat. des Larves des Coléop‘éres, p. 291). I. Anterior coxal cavities closed behind. i. Clypeus not widened into a lobe at sides, eyes almost free in front, base of antenne more or less exposed.. 1, Antenne moderately long. A. Form more elongate and looser; thorax broadest at or before middle. a. Claws toothed ... . . . . . . =. + »« Hipropawra, Muls. _b. Clawssimple . . . , Anisos1icora, Dup. B. Form less elongate, as a rule more or less hemispherical, thorax broadest at base, or at all events behind middle. a. Scutellum distinct. a*, Antenne with club rather short and compact, with penultimate joints trans- verse and truncate at apex. at. Prosternum convex without caring; coxal lines of first abdominal ponent semicircular complete . . ADALIA, Muls. bt. Prosternum depressed between | coxe, usually with two carine; coxal lines of first abdominal segment incomplete - . Coccrnetta, LZ. b*, Antenne with club less compact, with the penultimate joints not transverse, or, if transverse, with the apices not truncate, but with projecting angles embracing the succeeding joint. . a}. Sutural margin of elytra sinuate before apex, the sinuation being furnished with golden setae ; head less sunk in thorax . ANATIS, Muls. b+. Sutural margin of elytra straight; head more sunk in thorax. aft. Claws slender at base. . . . . . Mysra, Muls. bt. Claws broad at base . . Hatyzra, Muls. b. Scutellum very small, scarcely, if at ‘all, visible. . . MicrasPis, Redt. 2. Antenne very short, rarely longer than the dia- meter of the eyes. — Coccinellide aphidiphage.] CLAVICORNIA. 159 A. Upper surface glabrous . . . . » « »« Hyprrasprs, Redt. B. Upper surface plainly pubescent a ae . . Sormnus, Kug. ii. Clypeus at sides extending far in front of the ey es, and covering the base of the antenna, 1. Upper surface plainly pubescent . . . . . « ~ PLATYNASPIS, Redt. 2. Upper surface glabrous. A. Anterior tibie with a tooth on outer margins ; labrum scarcely visible. . . . . CutLocorus, Leach. B. Anterior tibiee without tooth on "outer margin ; labrum distinct . . . Exoconomuts, Red. II. Anterior coxal cavities open behind ; * upper surface pubescent; punctuation of elytra double, i. Punctuation of elytra irregular; base of thorax bor- dered; form subhemispherical . . . . Rurzosrus, Steph. ii. Large punctures of élytra arranged in " rows ; base of thorax not bordered ; form elongate-oval . . . . . Coccipuna, Kug. HIPPODAMIA, Mulsant. This genus contains about twenty species, which are widely distributed in Europe and North America; one or two are found in Northern Asia; they are, as arule, of a more oblong and looser form than the greater part of the other Coccinellide. H. variegata is a very variable species, and some of its varieties appear to be found in Northern Africa, Senegal, and India, as well as in more northern climates. I. First joint of tarsi not dilated in male; size larger ; elytra orange-yellow, with a common spot at scutellum, and six spots on each black . . . H. TREDECIMPUNOTATA, L. Il. First joint of anterior and intermediate tarsi dilated in male (Adonia, Muls.); size smaller; elytra reddish, with variable black spots on each . H. VARIEGATA, Gloeze ; (mutabilis, Scriba). H. 13-punctata, L. (tibialis, Say.). Oblong, rather depressed ; head black with front yellow ; thorax with sides strongly rounded, black with the anterior and lateral borders yellow, the latter broadly so and usually furnished with a black spot in middle of each ; elytra yellow or orange-yellow, with a common spot at base of suture, which is sometimes wanting, and six spots on each black ; legs black, with the tibie and usually the greater part of the tarsi yellow. L. 43-7 mm. Male with the first joint of the anterior tarsi slightly furrowed longi- tudinally, and the fifth segment of abdomen emarginate at apex. Marshy places, on reeds, &c., also in flood refuse ; very local, and, as a rule, rare; Battersea (Stephens) ; Suffolk, in flood refuse, abundant (W. Garneys) ; ; Deal; Hastings; near Lancaster on "Arundo phragmites; Northumberland and Durham districts, Meldon Park, Twizell, and Durham; Scotland, Lowlands, rare, Solway and Forth districts ; Ireland, near Belfast and Portmarnock ; the species is found through- out Siberia and occurs in North America as tibialis, "Say. ; 3 it is very variable as regards the size of the spots of thorax and elytra. H. variegata, Goeze (mutabilis, Scriba; Adonia mutabilis, Mul- 160 CLAVICORNIA. [ Hippodamia. sant). Oval-oblong ; head black, with front broadly white, usually with two small black spots; thorax very transverse, with sides strongly rounded, broadest about middle, black, with the anterior and side margins white, and also with a longitudinal white line extending from the front margin to about middle, with a white round spot on each side, posterior margin plainly bordered ; elytra reddish, with a common spot at base of suture, and several variable black spots on each black, finely punctured ; legs black. L. 3-55 mm. Male with the first joint of the anterior tarsi oval and dilated. By sweeping herbage, &c.; rather local ; London district, not uncommon, St. Mary Cray, Highgate, Weybridge, Mickleham, Esher, Woking, &.; Kingsgate; Margate; Deal; Brighton; Swansea; Blackpool ; Liverpool; New Brighton ; Filey, Yorkshire ; not recorded, apparently, from the northern counties of England or from Scotland ; in England it appears not to be found far from the sea, but it occurs over all Europe and as far south as Senegal and Abyssinia, and also in Asia from Siberia to India. This species is very variable as regards the colour of the elytra; the colour of the thorax, however, is usually constant, the only noticeable variation being the extension of the two white spots into lines meeting the anterior white border. ANISOSTICTA, Duponchel. Only two or three species are at present included in this genus, which is closely related to the preceding, and appears only to be distinguished by having the tarsal claws simple and not toothed. A. novemdecimpunctata, L. Oblong, not very convex, of a yellow or somewhat orange colour with black markings; thorax very transverse, with sides strongly rounded, usually furnished with six black spots, which are sometimes confluent ; elytra with a common spot at base of suture and nine spots on each black, moderately strongly punctured ; legs testaceous. L, 3-4 mm. Marshy places, amongst reeds and aquatic plants ; loca!, but common where it occurs; Lee, Gravesend, Forest Hill, Weybridge, Woking, Walton, &e; Yarmouth ; Birchington; Hastings; Brighton; Devon; South Wales; Hertford; Cambridge; Coleshill and Sutton Park near Birmingham; Willington, near Burton-on-Trent ; Mabbeiley, Cheshire ; according to Stephens it has occurred in Scotland, but it is not given in Dr. Sharp’s list ; the species extends across Asia to North America. ADALIA, Mulsant. This genus contains upwards of thirty species, which are very widely distributed ; the majority are found in the more northern regions of the world, but species have been described from Chili, Cape of Good Hope, Abyssinia, Madeira, Ceylon, &c. ; hitherto our list has contained two species only, but a new one, A. bothnica, must now be added, . a Adalia.] CLAVICORNIA. 161 I, Thorax with the entire base finely scr at form less convex . . . A, oBLiteRaTA, L, Il. Thorax with the base only margined hear angles ; form more convex. i, Claws short, scarcely visibly vecarge:t form semiglobose ; colour yellow and black . . . . 6 noe « « eo A, BOTHNIOA; Page. ii. Claws long, Pees * toothed ; form slightly ovate ; colour red and black . Si reine teat ot re ce) Ter ‘a> chy BEIPONOTAPA’. Py, A. obliterata, L. (M-nigrum, Gyll.; livida, Muls.). Of a dirty testaceous colour, with the thorax furnished with markings towards base, which usually coalesce and form an M ; elytra lighter at sides, darker at suture, and usually with two more or less defined dark bands at sides which are often obsolete ; legs testaceous ; the elytra are occasionally dark brown ; the upper surface is not very convex, and somewhat finely punctured, and the thorax is very transverse and widest behind middle. L. 33-5 mm. Male with the fifth ventral segment of abdomen broadly emarginate at apex. On fir-trees ; not uncommon and generally distributed throughout England and probably Ireland ; Scotland, not common, Solway, Tweed, Forth and Dee districts. V. fenestrata, Weise. This very distinct variety is quite black with the apex of the elytra and a few more or less distinct spots at margins, and on disc of the same yellowish or yellowish-red, and the anterior angles of thorax somewhat broadly whitish. Two specimens were taken by the Rev. Hamlet Clark, on ling, at Northampton, and I have found it in Sherwood Forest, A. bothnica, Payk. Almost circular, hemispherical, of an orange- yellow colour with black markings, under-side black, legs yellow or dark with tarsi lighter; head black with a broad central spot yellow; thorax yellow with various markings ; elytra with suture black and other black markings which differ in various specimens; punctuation fine. L. 33-4 mm. V. crucifera, Weise. In this variety the margins of the elytra are black and two large spots meet the suture at centre of disc, forming a rough figure of a cross ; besides these there is a common spot at base of suture, a spot on each elytron reaching base, two on each meeting sides, and two free, one in middle and one towards apex. The variety only has occurred in Britain, Dr. Power having taken one specimen at Moss Morran, Scotland. A. bipunctata, L. Oval, convex; thorax black, with more or less broad white borders at sides, or with anterior angles only white, or entirely black, often with a double white spot in middle of base ; elytra in the commonest form red, with one large round spot on each, but very variably coloured, in some specimens the red colour prevailing, while VOL. II. M 162 CLAVICORNIA. [ Adalia. others are almost entirely black with only a reddish spot at base ; punc- tuation rather fine ; legs and under-side black, the former occasionally lighter ; epimera black. L. 3-4 mm. On trees, shrubs, herbage, &c.; common and generally distributed throughout the kingdom. MYSIA, Mulsant_ The “ Mysiates ” are distinguished by Mulsant from the ‘“ Halyziates” by having the last joint of the antenne truncate, and not obliquely cut off at apex, and terminating in an angle as in the latter group; the character, however, is, not a very plain one, and the genera Mysia and Halyzia are perhaps better separated by the shape of the tarsal claws ; the genus Mysia only contains a few species from Northern Asia, and North and Central America, and one from Europe. M. oblongoguttata, L. Oval, subhemispherical, of a light tes- taceous-brown or fawn colour; thorax with broad white borders, and usually furnished with two dark longitudinal markings, which are very variable in breadth and are sometimes absent ; elytra with longitudinal light lines and oblong spots, very finely punctured ; legs testaceous, sumetimes partially dark. L, 53-7 mm. Male with the sixth ventral segment of abdomen somewhat excised at apex, female with the fifth ventral segment subsinuate on each side. On and about firs ; not uncommon but local; London district, widely distributed. Glanvilles Wootton; New Forest ; Bournemouth; Devon; South Wales; Midland districts ; Chat Moss ; Norwich; Manchester; Filey and Scarborough; Northumber- land district ; Scotland, Highlands and Lowlands, common on fir-trees, Solway, Forth, Tay, Dee and Moray districts ; it is probably not uncommon in Ireland. ANATIS, Mulsant. This genus is usually included under Halyzia, but is distinguished by having the sutural margin of the elytra sinuate before apex, and furnished with golden pile; the single European species is one of the largest and most conspicuous of the Coccinellide. A. ocellata, L. The largest of our species of Coccinellide ; oval, not very convex; under-side black with a white spot beneath the anterior angles, and with the epimera of the mesosternum white ; head black with white markings ; thorax black with a broad white lateral border, the centre of which is also marked with black, and with two white markings at base; elytra red with a thin black lateral margin, and with a common spot at scutellum and usually 7-9 others on each black surrounded with yellow, which gives them an ocellate appearance ; the punctuation is fine but distinct; legs black. L. 6-8 mm. Male with the sixth ventral segment of abdomen truncate in middle of apex, female with the same segment subsinuate, Anatis.] CLAVICORNIA, 163 On firs; local, but not uncommon; London district, generally distributed ; Nor- wich, Hastings, &c,; Glanvilles Wootton; Southampton; Devon; Coleshill and Sutton Park near Birmingham; Tamworth; Burton-on-Trent; Lincoln ; Chat Moss; Filey, Yorks. ; Manchester ; Northumberland and Durham districts ; Scotland local, Tweed, Tay, Dee and Moray districts. Ireland, near Waterford; I have taken both this species and M. oblongo-guttata at Filey, Yorks., by sweeping grass on the edge of the cliff, apparently far from any fir-trees. : COCCINELLA, Linné. This genus contains a large number of species, which are very widely distributed ; our six British species belong to the genus Coccinella proper; Weise includes in the genus the species classed by Mulsant under Harmonia, these being distinguished by having the mesosternum emarginate in front, whereas in Coccinella it is simple. I. Thorax more or less variegated with white, or with at all events the side margins white; legs pale . C. DeceEMPUNOTATA, LD. (variabilis, Il.) II. Thorax black with a triangular white spot at anterior angles; elytra yellow with black mark- ings; legs black. . 2. «© © «© © «© «© © @ III. Thorax black with a quadrangular white spot at anterior angles ; legs black. i, Average length 4—43 mm, 1. Elytra reddish with acommon spot at scutellum and five spots on each black ; form more elongate , and lessconvex . .... +. + + « « C, UNDECIMPUNOTATA, LZ, 2. Elytra red with a common spot at scutellum and two spots on each black ; form rounder and MOPS COOWE one Tee We: a RR ii. Average length 6-6} mm.; elytra red with a common spot at scutellum and three spots on each black. 1. Epimera of mesosternum white, episterna of metasternum entirely black; anterior angles of thorax projecting. . . . + . « « « . 2. Epimera of mesosternum and apex of episterna of metasternum white ; anterior angles of thorax broadly rounded . . » « «© + sw + + « CO. pistinota, Fald, (labilis, Muls.) C. HIEROGLYPHIOA, LD. C. QUINQUEPUNOTATA, LZ. C. SEPTEMPUNCTATA, L. C. 10-punctata, L. (variabilis, Ill.). Almost hemispherical, ex- tremely variable as regards the colour of the upper surface, under-side dark, usually black, legs yellow ; the latter character will usually be found of great assistance in determining specimens as the allied species have the legs black ; epimera of mesosternum white ; the elytra are usually fur- nished with a transverse raised fold before apex ; femora sometimes dusky ; punctuation rather fine. L. 3-4 mm. On low plants, and also on oaks, limes, &c. ; common and generally distributed throughout the kingdom. The varieties of this insect are so numerous that it is impossible to M 2 164 CLAVICORNIA. [ Coccinella. describe them; most of them are mentioned by Weise, Coccinellide, pp. 32-35, and by Mulsant, Sécuripalpes, pp. 95-108 ; among the most common are those with the elytra black and furnished with four or five large yellow spots on each, or testaceous with small black spots, or black with one large triangular spot reaching margin, not far from shoulder. Cc. hieroglyphica, L. Oval, subglobose; thorax black with the anterior angles whitish in a triangular spot ; elytra yellow or reddish- yellow, with a longitudinal black patch at scutellum, another on each side, which is somewhat curved and often reaches from base to centre, and a black spot before apex, which is sometimes joined to the pre- ceding; sometimes all the spots are divided, but some are always more or less oblong; legs and epimera black; punctuation distinct. L. 3-4 mm. Male with the sixth ventral segment of abdomen impressed with a semicircular fovea. é : By sweeping heath, &c., especially beneath fir-trees; local; London district com- mon; Norwich; Hastings and other localities on the South Coast; Swansea; Chat Moss; Newmarket; Sutton Park; Cannock Chase; Northumberland and Durham districts rare; Scotland, Highlands and Lowlands, amongst heather, Solway, Tweed, Forth, Tay, and Dee districts; Ireland, near Waterford. A black variety of this species occurs, but the var. fenestrata of A. obliterata appears occasionally to be mistaken for it. Cc. 1l-punctata, L. Oval, moderately convex; thorax black with the anterior angles white; elytra red with a common spot at suture, and five other spots on each, black ; these vary in size, but are fairly constant; some, however, are occasionally very small or even absent ; legs black. L. 33-4} mm. Male with the sixth ventral segment of abdomen emarginate ; female with the sixth ventral segment of abdomen entire. Cc. 5-punctata, L. Very convex, almost hemispherical; thorax black with a white spot at the anterior angles which is large and con- spicuous on the under-surface; elytra red, with a common spot at base of suture and two spots on each black ; occasionally there is also a minute spot at sides between base and middle ; punctuation fine and thick ; legs black ; epimera of mesosternum white, L. 33-44 mm. Male with the sixth ventral segment of abdomen impressed with a deep semicircular fovea. A northern species often found on the borders of streams; Northumberland © district, not uncommon ; Scotland, local, Solway, Tay, Dee, and Moray districts. C. 7-punctata, L. Convex, subhemispherical, very finely punc- tured ; thorax black with a large white spot at the anterior angles which is not conspicuous on the under-side ; anterior angles bluntly but dis- Coccinella. | CLAVICORNIA. 165 tinctly produced ; elytra with a common spot at base of suture, and three other spots on each, black; these are variable in size; legs and under- side black, epimera of mesosternum white. L. 53-74 mm. Male with the sixth ventral segment of abdomen truncate before apex and furnished with a transverse polished fovea. On herbage, &c.; very common and generally distributed throughout the kingdom. CG. distincta, Fald. (/abilis, Muls.; magnifica, Redt.). Very like the preceding in general appearance and very easily confused with it ; it may, however, be easily distinguished by the shape of the anterior angles of thorax, which are much broader, more rounded, and not nearly so projecting ; the apex of the episterna of metasternum as well as the epimera of mesosternum are white, and the sixth ventral segment of the male is not furnished with any impression ; in most of the specimens I have seen the black spots on disc are larger, but this does not appear to be a reliable character. L. 53-73 mm. Sandy places, by sweeping heath, &c.; very local, but not uncommon where it occurs; Weybridge (in numbers, Power), Esher, Horsell, Farnham; Kingsgate ; Whitstable ; Herne Bay ; Hastings; Lewes, in and about ants’ nests; it is only found, apparently, in the London and South-eastern district. HALYZIA, Mulsant. This genus, in its widest sense, contains considerably more than a hundred species which ate very widely distributed ; Mulsant and Crotch have, however, divided it up into nineteen smaller genera, but the differ- . ences are so slight that they can hardly be admitted ; several of the species are exceedingly variable as regards colour; important distinctions are drawn by Mulsant from the presence or absence and the shape of the plates on the first segment of the abdomen, a character of which he has made considerable use throughout his work on the group; for conveni- ence’ sake, however, these have not been here taken into account. I, Elytra lighter or darker castaneous-brown or fawn-coloured with yellowish-white spots. i. Prosternum with two raised keels; elytra with a narrow side border and with six spots : oneach . . .. + + «© « « « « »« H.DvopEcImeurtata, Poda. li. Prosternum without keels. 1. Side margins very broad ; size larger; each elytron with eight spots . . . . H.sepxcimeurrata, L, 2. Side margins narrow ; size smaller. A. Form more convex and rounder ; each elytron with seven spots, the two near base being separate and more or less round . ... «+ « » « « « « H,. QUATUORDECIMGUTTATA, ZL. B. Form less convex and more elongate ; each elytron with nine spots, the two _ near base being dentate and often con- fluent’ . 2. 176 se eh el hUtlCU ht) 6M. OCTODECIMGUTTATA, L. 166 CLAVICORNIA. [ Halyzia, Il. Elytra light yellow with black, more or less ; angular, and often confluent, spots . . . H. Conetosata, L. (quatuordecimpunctata, L.) III. Elytra of a bright lemon colour with plainly marked, usually round, spots, seldom con- fluent, as a rule eleven in number on each . H. VIGINTIDUOPUNOTATA, LZ. H.12-guttata, Poda. (s.g. Vibidia, Muls.). Convex, hemispherical, of a luteous or yellowish-testaceous colour ; thorax thickly punctured, with white borders, somewhat transparent in front and at sides ; elytra strongly and unevenly punctured with six whitish spots on each, narrowly margined ; under-side and legs testaceous or reddish-testaceous. L. 3-4 mm. Male with the fifth ventral segment broadly emarginate at apex. On firs, alders and other trees ; very rare in Britain; Scotland, ‘‘ Raehills, Rev. W. Little,’ Murray’s Cat.; Ireland, near Belfast, Haliday; it is possible, however, that there may be some mistake as to these records; the only specimen I have seen was a pinned one in Griesbach’s collection, now in the possession of Mr. Mason; the species is common in France and extends through Europe and Siberia to Japan, Stephens records it as taken in some numbers in 1815 and 1816 in Windsor Forest and near Bristol. H. 16-guttata, L. Oval, subhemispherical, moderately convex, of a luteous or yellowish-testaceous colour ; thorax with broad pellucid whitish lateral margins, and the anterior margin also more narrowly pellucid, very finely punctured; elytra less strongly and unevenly punctured than in the preceding species, with broad pellucid margins, luteous with eight whitish spots on each; epimera of metasternum yellowish-white, the colour, however, often fading after death; legs yellowish-testaceous. L. 5-6 mm. Male with the sixth ventral segment emarginate in a semicircle at apex, and the epipleure of the elytra more strongly dilated than in female. By beating young birches and other trees in hedges and woods; local; London district, not uncommon, Mickleham, Coombe Wood, Esher, Sheerness, Whitstable ; Norfolk; Hastings; Glanvilles Wootton; Devon; Swansea; Scotland, rare, on birches, Solway, Forth, Tay, Dee, and Moray districts. H. 14-guttata, L. (s.g. Calvia, Muls.). Hemispherical, of a rufous- brown or castaneous colour, with the metasternum and middle of abdo- men black ; thorax very thickly and finely punctured with a lunulate whitish side border, the spot at posterior angles being sometimes con- spicuous ; the anterior margin and median line are usually more or less whitish ; elytra closely, unevenly, and distinctly punctured, with seven whitish spots on each (arrauged 1, 3, 2,1), which are, in many cases, slightly ocellate, being often surrounded with a narrow darker border ; epimera of mesosternum white; legs brownish or reddish-testaceous. L. 4-5 mm. Male with the sixth ventral segment subtruncate at apex, Halyzia. | CLAVICORNIA. 167 On young alders and hazels, white-thorn hedges, &c.; generally distributed and rather common throughout the kingdom ; it occurs in Siberia and North America, H. 18-guttata, L. (s.g. Myrrha, Muls.). Oval, moderately convex, of a reddish-brown or castaneous colour with the under-side blackish in middle ; thorax finely punctured, with anterior and side margins and two spots at base whitish ; elytra distinctly punctured, with nine whitish spots on each (arranged 2, 1, 3, 2, 1), the two at base of suture being dentate and usually confluent, and together with the two spots at base of thorax forming a sort of star-shaped figure; pro- and mesosternum and their side parts whitish ; legs reddish-testaceous. L. 33-4 mm. On firs; not uncommon in England and Wales, and generally distributed ; Bold records it as common in the Northumberland district, but according to Dr. Sharp it is rare in Scotland in the Solway, Tweed, and Forth districts; Ireland, near Belfast and Dublin. H. conglobata, L. (14-punctata, L.; conglomerata, Steph. IIl.), Short oval, subhemispherical, under-surface black, with the epimera of the meso- and metasternum yellowish-white, the segments of the abdomen being also marked with the same colour; thorax very finely punctured, yellow with six black spots which are usually more or less confluent ; elytra distinctly, but not strongly, punctured, yellow with seven quad- rangular black spots on each, and the suture, as a rule, also black; these are extremely variable, and almost always more or less confluent ; in our ordinary form three of these spots join the suture, and the two spots on disc behind middle join the central of these three, the whole forming a rough figure very like a face; legs yellow, femora partly dark. L. 3—4 mm. Male with the sixth ventral segment small and linear and subtruncate at apex. By sweeping herbage and beating hazel, oak and other trees in woods and hedges ; not uncommon in the midland and southern districts of England and in Ireland, but I can find no locality for the species further north than Sherwood Forest. H. 22-punctata, L. (s.g. Thea, Muls.). A very conspicuous little species ; hemispherical ; under-side black with the epimera of the meso- and metasternum and the hinder portion of the episterna of metasternum yellowish ; upper surface of a bright lemon-yellow or sulphur colour, finely and not very closely punctured; thorax with five black spots which are usually all separate; elytra with eleven more or less round spots on each, the one at centre of side being very small, often confluent with the one adjacent, and sometimes absent, legs black and yellowish- red or yellowish. L. 2-3 mm. In hedges, woods, &c.; found especially on nettles, but also on other plants ; generally distributed and common throughout the greater part of England, but not recorded from Scotland ; Ireland, near Waterford. 168 CLAVIOORNIA. [ Micraspis. MICRASPIS, Redtenbacher. A This genus is distinguished from its allies, as is implied by its name, by the extremely small and almost invisible scutellum ; four or five species have been described from Northern Asia, Europe, and Northern Africa. IM. sedecimpunctata, L. (v. 12-punctata, L.). Hemispherical, under-side black with the pleure almost wholly whitish-yellow ; upper surface very finely and thickly punctured, luteous or yellowish-testaceous, thorax with six black spots, of which the inner four are usually more or less confluent ; elytra with eight spots on each, four, usually separate, arranged in a longitudinal row near suture, and others at. side of which the central ones are more or less confluent and form a continuous longi- tudinal irregular patch ; legs mostly yellow; according to Mulsant the labrum is black and the anterior and intermediate femora yellow, in male, and the labrum is yellow, and the anterior and intermediate femora mostly black, in female. L, 2-25 mm. Marshy places, both inland and on the coast, at roots of grass and by sweeping low plants; local, but very commen where it occurs; generally distributed in the London and southern district, but not so often met with further north; Liverpool, not common; Northumberland and Durham district, Twizell and Durham; not recorded from Scotland. V. Poweri, Weise. This variety has the upper surface or, at all events, the elytra unicolorous black ; it has been found in Lee pit near London, rarely, by Dr. Power, in whose collection there is also an intermediate variety. : HYPERASPIS, Redtenbacher, This genus contains more than two hundred species, of which a large number are found in tropical regions ; they are very widely distributed ; eight only occur in Europe, of which one is found in Britain ; they are rather closely related to Coccinella and its allies, but may be distinguished by the formation of the antenne. H. reppensis, Herbst. Broad-oval, convex, obtusely rounded at apex, black, shining and glabrous, elytra more distinctly punctured than thorax ; lateral margins of thorax and a large spot at apex of each elytron, reddish-yellow ; male with the whole head, and the anterior margin of thorax narrowly, yellow or reddish-yellow ; the anterior legs are also entirely of the same colour; in the female the head and the anterior femora are black ; the light spots at apex of elytra are sometimes small, and occasionally absent, and there is sometimes a small light reddish spot at shoulders, L. 23-3; mm. In moss on chalky hill-sides, under stones and decaying seaweed-on the coast, &e. ; "od ee Hyperaspis. | OLAVICORNIA. 169 occasionally found by sweeping under fir-trees ; local, and, as a rule, rather scarce ; Esher, Mickleham, Shirley, Box Hill, Chobham, Sheerness; Hastings; Seaford, Sussex ; Holm Bush, Brighton; New Forest ; Devon; Llyfnant Valley, near Borth, Cardiganshire; Barmouth ; Windsor Forest ; Bewdley ; Staffordshire ; Chat Moss ; Withington, Cheshire ; Scarborough; Scotland, local, amongst moss in plantations of larch and fir, Solway, Forth, Clyde, Tay, Argyle, and Moray districts. SCYMNUS, Kugelann. This genus is a very large and extensive one ; upwards of two hundred and fifty species have already been described, and it is probable that this is far from representing the total number; they are small, and, as a rule, very inconspicuous insects, and in many cases are difficult to deter- mine ; they are distinguished by their plainly pubescent surface and very short antenne ; they are closely related to Platynaspis, but the clypeus does not extend in front of the eyes as in that genus ; from Hyperaspis they may be known by the pubescence of the upper surface ; in spite of their small size, as Mulsant remarks, they are devourers of aphides both in the larval and perfect state ; the larva both of Scymnus and Platynaspis is not furnished with rows of spines as is the case with most of the other Coccinellide, but is covered with a white substance like minute flocks of wool ; Reaumur was the first to observe this, and designated the larvae as “ Hérissons blancs” or “ Barbets blancs; this substance is easily rubbed off, but the insect has the power of renewing it again within twelve hours (v. Mulsant, Sécuripalpes, pp. 211,212). There are forty- five European species of Scymnus, of which fourteen occur in Britain ; in determining the species the shape of the post-coxal fovee and the continuance, interruption, and direction of the raised lines surrounding them are very important characters, but are somewhat hard to observe without removing the posterior legs; I have therefore made as little use of them as possible in the following table;.in many of the species the sexes differ considerably in the coloration of the head and thorax. I. Posterior coxe not very widely separated. i. Post-coxal fovee: with raised sides incomplete. 1. Anterior coxw widely distant; size, as a rule, smaller. (s.g. Nephus, Muls.) * A. Each elytron with two orange-yellow spots... 1 6 6 « © « «© « » » SS. PULCHELLUS, Herbst, _ (quadrilunulatus, 111.) B. Elytra unicolorous black, or furnished with a longitudinal reddish patch on acl ss SOON SS enebeee ae > 2. Anterior coxe less?distant ; size, as a rule, larger. (Scymnus, i. sp.) * A. Elytra unicolorous black, — a. Legs dark brown, pitchy. . . . . & NIGRINUS, Kug. S. REDTENBACHERI, Muls, * Mulsant separates the genus Nephus from Scymnus on the relative distance of the “ abdominal plates ’’ of the first ventral segment from the side margin. 170 CLAVIOORNIA. [Scymnus, b. Legs yellowish-testaceous, base of femoradark . .... . . =. . S,PYGMzUS, Foure, B. Elytra black, usually with one, occasion- ally with two, red spots on each. . . S, FRONTALIs, F. ii. Post-coxal foveze with raised sides complete, forming a more or less exact semicircle round posterior cox. 1. Elytra black, with two common horse- shoe-shaped whitish-yellow lines; legs WOHOW <5. ol" as ee 8 fe Ceo hinciegee 2. Elytra entirely yellowish-brown or luteous, with margins and suture often more or less broadly blackish, A. Femora black; tibize and tarsi usually reddish-brown... +. + + » S. SUTURALIS, Thunb. (discoideus, Il.) B. Legs testaceous, with tarsal claws black S, Livipus, Bold. C. Legs entirely testaceous or reddish- téstaceous . . . «6 « «© « » « « SS, TESTAOEDS, Mots. (Mulsanti, Wat.) 8. Elytra black, with apex broadly reddish . S. HEMORRHOIDALIS, Herbst. 4, Elytra entirely black, or with at most the extreme apex lighter. A. Head red; thorax with anterior and side margins broadly reddish-yellow in male’ 0% SC RE ER ers Oh BIA, B. Head and thorax always black. . . . S. aTER, Kug. II. Posterior cox very widely separated; colour black, unicolorous; size very small. . . . S. MrInrMuUs, Rossi. S. pulchellus, Herbst. (4-/unulatus, Ill.; s.g. Nephus, Muls.). Oval, moderately convex, pubescent, black, with the labrum, antennze and legs, and four spots on the elytra testaceous or reddish-testaceous ; the ‘anterior pair are larger, oblong, and oblique, and situated near shoulders, and the posterior pair, situated before apex, are smaller and slightly lunate; the elytra are less finely and more deeply punc- tured than thorax ; legs yellow, posterior femora often darker. LL. 3-12 mm. Very rare; the species was introduced by Mr. G. R. Waterhouse in 1863 on two doubtful specimens from Kirby’s collection; the only authentic British example. appears to be one taken in Kent, which is in Mr. Rye’s collection. S. Redtenbacheri, Muls. (s.g. Nephus, Muls.). A very small species, of an elongate-oval shape, moderately convex, clothed with pale pubescence, black with an oblique band of a reddish or reddish-yellow colour on each elytron ; antenne, mouth-parts and legs entirely testaceous ; the femora, however, are occasionally dark ; elytra finely but somewhat distinctly punctured ; the size and shape of the elytral band is variable. L.1l-limn, , . A specimen from Mr. Wilkinson’s collection, now in the possession of Mr. Mason, was returned to me by M. Brisout in 1882 as this insect, and Mr. Mason subsequently found several others in the same collection S. ARCUATUS, Rossi. Scymnus.] CLAVICORNIA. 171 standing under the name of limbatus; they are smaller and more elongate than the species standing in our collections as S. Mulsanti, Wat., but otherwise are extremely like that insect; they were probably taken in the neighbourhood of Scarborough. V. unicolor, Weise. This variety has the elytra unicolorous black ; it does not appear to have occurred in Britain; according to Mulsant it is the normal form. S. nigrinus, Kug. (morio, Payk.; s.g. Anisoscymnus, Crotch). Short oval, convex, not very shining, entirely black with the exception of the antennee and tarsi which are lighter or darker reddish-brown ; pubescence fuscous; thorax very finely, elytra less finely, punctured ; elytra obtusely rounded at apex, with shoulders rather strongly marked. L. 13-2 mm. Mate with the fifth segment of abdomen somewhat truncate and thickly pubescent, female with the same segment rounded. - On the Scotch fir; very local; London district, not common, Chatham, Birch Wood, Weybridge ; Cannock Chase; Repton ; Chat Moss; Hykeham, near Lincoln (abundant) ; Northumberland district, Gosforth and Hetton Hall, near Belford ; Scotland, local, Solway, Forth, Tay and Dee districts. S. pygemeeus, Fourc. (rubromaculatus, Goeze; femoralis, Gyll.; s.g. Anisoscymnus, Crotch). Short oval, subhemispherical, plainly pubes- cent, shining, black, with the labrum antenne and legs testaceous, femora usually dark at base in female; in the male the head, and the thorax, with the exception of a black patch before scutellum, is reddish- yellow ; in the female these parts are entirely black; the elytra are always unicolorous black; the thorax is very transverse and finely punctured, and the elytra are somewhat dilated before middle and thence. narrowed to apex, and are less finely punctured than the thorax; the species is closely related to S. capitatus, but may at once be known by having the abdomen and pygidium entirely black. L. 13-13 mm. Male with the fifth ventral segment of abdomen slightly emarginate at apex, female with the same segment rounded. Chalky and sandy places, at roots of grass and by sweeping herbage; local; London district, widely distributed and not uncommon; Deal; Dover; Glanvilles Wootton; Devon; Coleshill ; Knowle; Scarborough; Hartlepool; not recorded from Scotland. ; S. frontalis,; F. (s.g. Anisoscymnus, Crotch). The largest of the British species ; oval, plainly pubescent, moderately convex and rather shining ; elytra black with a large round spot on each before middle, which is sometimes variable or divided, but is usually round and distinct ; occasionally it is wanting (V. immaculatus, Suff.); in the male the head and a spot at the anterior angles of thorax are yellow, in the female the head and thorax are entirely black; elytra very closely and finely punctured ; legs yellow, femora more or less dark, L. 2;-23 mm. 172 CLAVICORNIA. [Seymnus. At roots of grass, by sweeping herbage, &c.; common and widely distributed in the London and southern districts, and it is also found in the Midlands; there appears, however, to be no record from further north than the neighbourhood of Birmingham. S. arcuatus, Rossi (s.g. Pullus, Muls.). Oval, pubescent ; thorax somewhat variable in colour, yellowish-white, at all events at sides, finely punctured; elytra black or brownish, having in common two yellowish-white horseshoe-shaped lines, open towards the front, of which the lower encloses the upper, more distinctly punctured than thorax ; under-side black with prosternum and apex of abdomen reddish ; legs reddish-yellow. L. 12 mm. Very rare; a single specimen was taken by Mr. Wollaston on August 24th, 1872, by brushing very old ivy at Shenton Hall, near Market Bosworth, Leicester- shire ; he had previously found the species abundant in Madeira. ~ S. suturalis, Thunb. (discotdeus, Ill.; s.g. Pullus, Muls.). Oval, moderately convex, clothed with somewhat coarse pale pubescence ; thorax as a rule pitchy with the sides often lighter, very short, finely punctured ; elytra rather strongly and unevenly punctured, of a reddish- brown or reddish-yellow colour, with the suture and the exterior margins more or less broadly dark; often, however, they are almost entirely reddish-brown ; femora black, tibie and tarsi fuscous, or lighter or darker reddish-brown. L. 14-1} mm. On the Scotch fir, amongst moss and grass beneath or near firs, &c.; common and generally distributed throughout the greater part of England and Scotland; Ireland, near Belfast, Portmarnock, &c. : V. limbatus, Steph. (S. limbatus, Steph.). This variety, which has been regarded by many authors as a separate species, differs from the type in its colour, which is darker ; the black colour of the suture and sides is more broadly marked and the reddish-brown colour is reduced to a larger or smaller patch on disc; the legs are pitchy-black ; Stephens himself says that it may be a small and dark variety of S. discoideus. L. 14 mm. Marshy places, at roots of grass and in moss; local ; London district, not uncom- mon, Walton-on-Thames, Horsell, Lee, Hammersmith, Norwood; Hertford; Suffolk ; Devon; Wicken Fen; Scarborough; Scotland, local, amongst moss, Solway and Tweed districts ; it probably occurs in many other localities. S. lividus, Bold. I have never seen this species, but, as it rests upon a single specimen, and as the allied species are very variable, it is very possible that it is not distinct; I subjoin Bold’s description from the catalogue of the Insects of Northumberland and Durham, . 109 :-— Pe Suboval, convex, slightly shining, somewhat densely covered with short griseous pubescence, finely and evenly punctured, livid-testaceous, the head and claws black, thorax and suture obscurely fuscous. L. 1mm. Smaller, more oval, much more finely and evenly punctured Scymnus. | CLAVICORNIA. 173 than S. discoideus, to small pale examples of which it bears a superficial resemblance. I have seen only one specimen of this insect, which I took on the sea- banks near Hartley in April, and with which no description known to me fully agrees.” * S. testaceus, Mots. (Mulsanti, Wat.; s.g. Pullus, Muls.). Oval, moderately convex, yellowish-brown or reddish-yellow ; thorax short, strongly narrowed in front, finely punctured, variable in colour, some- times being dark only before scutellum; elytra with base and suture dark ; under-side brownish or black, with the apex of abdomen red- dish ; elytra somewhat strongly punctured, with rather broad inter- stices ; legs entirely testaceous; our specimens appear to belong chiefly to the var. scutellaris of Mulsant, in which the head and thorax are entirely, and the scutellary region, sides and suture are broadly black, L. 13-1} mm. Marshy places, in moss and at roots of grass, beneath decaying seaweed, &e.; local ; London district, not uncommon, Caterham, Horsell, Forest Hill, Lee, Chatham, Sheerness, Hampstead, Darenth, Esher, &c.; Folkestone ; Pegwell Bay ; Hunstanton; Repton ; Northumberland and Durham district, on the sea-banks, not uncommon ; not recorded from Scotland ; Ireland, near Waterford. This species appears to be closely related to S. Redtenbacheri, more so even than S. suturalis (discoideus), with which Thomson compares S. Redtenbachert ; it is, however, broader and less elongate-oval than the last-named species, and has the post-coxal fovez differently shaped ; from S. suturalis it may be known by its uniformly testaceous legs, the thicker and finer punctuation of the under-side, and the colour of the elytra which is darker, and has the light portions redder. S. hemorrhoidalis, Herbst. (analis, Rossi, nee F.; s.g. Pullus, Muls.). Of a rather short and broad oval form, distinctly pubescent, black, rather shining; head, posterior portion of elytra and apex of abdomen yellowish-red ; thorax finely punctured, with the anterior and side margins broadly reddish-yellow in male, in the female with the anterior margin narrowly, and the anterior angles broadly of the same colour; elytra rather strongly and unevenly punctured; legs entirely yellow. L. 14-1§ mm. Male with the fifth ventral segment emarginate at apex and thickly pubescent. By beating hedges, sweeping herbage, &c.; often found in moss; common and generally distributed in the London district and in the south; less common in the Midland districts, and not recorded from any of the northern counties or from Scotland. It has been taken at Douglas, Isle of Man. * Since writing the above I have received a note from Mr. J. J. Walker, in which he says that in the summer of 1875 he took a specimen at Whitsand Bay, Plymouth, which is apparently referable to this species. 174 OLAVICORNIA. [Scymnus. S. capitatus, F. (rujfipes, Bris.; s.g. Pullus, Muls.). Of a rather broader form than the preceding, with the shoulders more strongly marked, and with at most the very extreme apex of elytra lighter; the thorax is more finely punctured, and the elytra are more closely, and evidently less unevenly, punctured; the post-coxal fovee of the first abdominal segment are more lengthened, and the femora are dusky instead of being entirely testaceous ; it somewhat resembles S. pygmeus, but that species is more oval, and more narrowed in front and behind, and has the elytra evidently more finely punctured; male with the whole head, the anterior border of thorax narrowly, and the sides broadly, reddish-yellow ; female with the head except base of vertex, and the anterior angles of thorax, of the same colour; in the female the femora are darker than in the male. L. 13-1} mm. By beating hedges, sweeping herbage, &c.; occasionally found in moss; not uncommon in many localities; Shirley, Forest Hill, Claygate, Lee, Faversham, Weybridge, &c.; Cambridgeshire; Hants; Devon; Swansea; Yardley; Sutton Park; Knowle; Bewdley; Cannock Chase; Repton; Scarborough; Carlisle; not recorded from Scotland. S. ater, Kug. (s.g. Pullus, Muls.). Oval, moderately convex, pubescent, entirely black, rather shining, with the antenn», tibia and tarsi fuscous; thorax with sides not rounded, elytra contracted from anterior third, distinctly punctured ; it is about the size of S. suturalis, but is a little shorter and more convex, besides being differently coloured ; from S. minimus it may be known by its more oval form and less widely separated posterior coxe. L. 1-1} mm. Sandy places; at roots of grass, &c.; rare; Norwood and Shirley (Power) ; Deal (Champion); Northumberland and Durham district, sea-banks near Blyth and Hartley, rare (Bold). S. minimus, Rossi (s.g. Pullus, Muls.; Stethorus minimus, Weise). Almost hemispherical, convex, shining, black, with the labrum, antenna, tibie and tarsi, and the apex of the anterior femora yellow or brownish- yellow; thorax finely punctured; elytra rather distinctly punctured ; posterior cox very widely separated, a character that seems to show that Weise is right in placing it in a distinct sub-genus. L. 1-1} mm. By beating dead hedges, sweeping herbage, &c. ; very local ; London district, not uncommon; Maidstone, Faversham, Chatham, Cobham, Belvedere, Forest Hill, Shirley, Darenth, Sheerness, Birch Wood, Highgate (on hops), Birdbrook (Essex), Cowley; Hertford; Littlington; Holm Bush, Brighton; apparently almost confined - to the London and South-eastern districts; according to Professor Bohemann it occurs on plants belonging to the Asclepias family; this is closely related to the Apocynacee or Periwinkle family ; it is entirely exotic, but includes the Stapelias, Hoyas, Stephanotis, &c., of our gardens and greenhouses. PLATYNASPIS, Redtenbacher. About twenty species belong to this genus; one only occurs in Europe Platynaspis. | OLAVICORNIA, 175 and the remainder are widely distributed, representatives occurring in Africa, Ceylon, China, India, the Malay Archipelago, &c. ; they are related to Scymnus in having the upper surface pubescent, but differ in the formation of the head. P. luteorubra, Goeze (villosa, Fourc.). Subovate, moderately convex, distinctly clothed, especially at sides, with rather long yellowish pubescence ; punctuation fine and close but distinct, more so on elytra than on thorax ; colour black, each elytron with two red spots, the one before middle and the other near apex; the thorax is usually bordered with yellow or has a triangular patch of yellow on each side, but this is sometimes absent ; in the male the head is usually reddish-yellow and in the female black, but this does not appear to hold good in all cases ; the legs are partly testaceous. L. 24-3} mm. Male with the sixth ventral segment of abdomen emarginate at apex, female with the same segment small and broadly rounded at apex. At roots of grass and by sweeping; found, more frequently, under bark of firs, willows, &c., especially in winter; local, but not uncommon in some places’; Barnes, Richmond Park, Esher, Weybridge, Chatham-(in profusion under bark of dead standing firs (Champion and Walker)) ; Folkestone ; Deal; Hastings; Chesil Beach, Portland; Shipley ; Hertford; Swansea; Sherwood Forest. CHILOCORWS, Leach. This genus contains about thirty species, which are very widely dis- tributed, more especially in tropical countries; two only are found in Europe, both of which occur in Britain; they may be distinguished by their very convex and gibbose form, and by the strong lobes at the sides of the clypeus ; the legs are strongly retractile, and the insect, if alarmed, gathers itself up on the leaf on which it may be resting, and, if forced to drop, feigns death ; the larve are black and have the body furnished with six rows of branched spines; they feed, according to Mulsant, on gall insects ; the pupa is remarkable for remaining within the split dried larval skin, within which it is plainly visible. I. Head black ; each elytron with a large round red spot ; size larger EM SA vc ig fh. CREME.» ees C. sImruis, Rossi (renipustulatus, Scriba). II. Head red ; each elytron with a transverse interrupted band; sizesmaller. . . ... .. . =. . . CO. BrpUstULATUS, LZ. GC. similis, Rossi (renipustulatus, Scriba). Hemispherical, very convex, gibbose, with shoulders strongly marked, shining black, with a large rounded and somewhat transverse spot on middle of each orange- red ; abdomen reddish ; legs black; thorax very finely, elytra finely but rather distinctly, punctured ; the sides of the thorax are occasionally reddish. L. 33-45 mm. Male with the fifth ventral segment of abdomen truncate at apex, 176 CLAVICORNIA. [ Chilocorus. sixth conspicuous, female with the fifth segment broadly rounded, and the sixth almost hidden. In woods, hedges, &c.; occasionally by beating; local; not uncommon in the London and southern districts, but rarer further north; Bristol; Swansea; Oxford- shire; Wicken Fen; Ripon; Liverpool; the only Scotch record is from the Solway district, ‘‘ Raehills, Rev. W. Little ” (Steph. Ill. iv. 374). C. bipustulatus, L. Much smaller than the preceding and easily distinguished by having a narrow transverse reddish band about the middle of each elytron which is formed of three spots which are usually more or less confluent, but sometimes separate ; the head also is red ; under-side black with sides and fifth segment of abdomen reddish-yellow ; elytra very finely punctured on disc, rather strongly at sides; legs black, with knees red. L. 23-3} mm. Sandy places; by sweeping heath, &c. ; locally common ; London district, common in many localities; Hastings; Southampton; New Forest; Devon; Swansea; Sutton Park; Cannock Chase; Sherwood Forest; York; Chat Moss; Liverpool; not re- corded from Northumberland ; Scotland, rare, Solway and Forth districts. EXOCHOMUS, Redtenbacher. Between twenty and thirty species are contained in this genus ; they are less tropical in their distribution than the preceding, although several have been described from Brazil, Cayenne, Madagascar, Cuba, &c.; six occur in Europe, of which two have generally been regarded as British ; E. auritus, however, appears to be very doubtfully indi- genous; the species resemble Chilocorus at first sight, but are less con- vex and not gibbose, and the clypeus is, as a rule, not dilated and lobed at sides; the labrum moreover is distinct, and the anterior tibize have no tooth on their outer margin. E. quadripustulatus, L. (4-verrucatus, F.). Moderately convex, subhemispherical, black, occasionally brownish or reddish-brown, shining; elytra with a lunulate reddish patch at shoulder and a smaller somewhat transverse patch of the same colour behind middle near suture ; thorax much narrower than elytra, very transverse, very finely punctured; elytra with distinct margins, very finely punctured, more distinctly at sides ; apex of abdomen yellowish ; legs black. L. 3}-45 mm. Male with the sixth ventral segment of abdomen emarginate at apex, disclosing seventh, female with the same segment broadly rounded. On white-thorn blossom, broom, low firs, &c.; locally common; London district, generally distributed; Hastings; Glanvilles Wootton; Devon; Barmouth; Coles. hill; Tamworth; Staffordshire; Chat Moss; Scarborough; Manchester; North- uimberland and Durham district ; Scotland, local, Solway, Tweed, Tay, and Moray districts ; it probably occurs in several parts of Ireland. (E. auritus, Scriba; nigromaculatus, Goeze. In this species the upper surface is black or bronze-black, with the sides of the thorax and the ant Exochomus.] OLAVICORNIA, 177 legs orange yellow; the elytra are unicolorous, without spots; the abdomen is yellowish towards apex ; in the male the front part of the head is yellowish, whereas in the female it is entirely black, L. 33-4 mm. This insect is very doubtfully indigenous as British ; it isthe Chilocorus vufipes of Stephens’ Illustrations and the Ch. hemorrhoidalis of his Manual ; he says of it, “I have hitherto seen two specimens only of this very distinct species, one of which was captured near Windsor in June, 1816, and the other I obtained from the vicinity of Bristol” (IIL iv. p- 375). : RHIZOBLIUS, Stephens. This and the succeeding genus are distinguished from all our other Coccinellide by having the anterior coxal cavities open behind; there are about twenty species in the genus Rhizobius, one of which occurs in Europe, and the rest have been described from Australia, the Cape of Good Hope, and Madeira, &. ; it will probably be found to be a much more extensive genus. R. litura, F. Elliptical, convex, shining, clothed with distinct pubescence ; colour variable, entirely testaceous, or testaceous with an oblique dark marking on each elytron, sometimes entirely pitchy-brown or pitchy-black; thorax rather finely, elytra distinctly, punctured ; legs testaceous, more or less dark in the darkly coloured varieties ; antennv rather long and slender, terminating in a distinct club. L. 2-25 mm. At roots of grass, in “moss, by general sweeping, &c.; both inland and on the coast ; very common throughout the whole of England from Yorkshire southwards ; not so common further north; Scotland, rather scarce, Solway and Forth districts ; Ireland, near Waterford and Dublin, and probably common. COCCIDULA, Kugelann (Cacicula, Megerle), Four species are mentioned in the Munich catalogue as belonging to this genus, two from Europe, one from North America, and one from Northern China ;' they are oblong and somewhat depressed insects, with the anterior coxal cavities open behind. I, Elytra unicolorousred. . . « 6 6 « « »« © « CO. RUFA, Herbst, II. Elytra red with black markings . ... . - «. CO. sourentara, Herbst. CG. rufa, Herbst. (pectoralis, F.). Oblong, distinctly pubescent, moderately shining, of a rufous or yellowish-red colour ; antenne rather long, reddish-testaceous, with club darker; thorax convex, transverse, with sides rather strongly rounded, finely punctured; elytra broader at base than base of thorax, rather long, somewhat depressed on disc, finely punctured, and furnished besides with larger punctures which are arranged in more or less regular rows; under-side red with breast and base of abdomen black ; legs reddish-testaceous. L. 23-3 mm. VoL Ill. N 178 OLAVICORNIA. [ Coccidula. Male with prosternal lines distinct, female without or with obsolete prosternal lines, In marshy places, amongst reeds, at roots of grass, &e. ; very common and gene- rally distributed throughout the greater part of England, but not so common in the north; Scotland, not common, Solway and Forth districts; Ireland, near Belfast and Portmarnock, and probably common. C. scutellata, Herbst. Very like the preceding in size, shape, and general appearance, but easily distinguished by the fact that the elytra are marked with a large bluish black patch at scutellum and two others on each, one circular, situated near suture, just behind middle, and another oblong near sides, situated about middle; sometimes these are confluent ; the post-coxal fovez of the first ventral segment of abdomen are shorter, and are lunate instead of being semicircular, as in OC. isla L. 25-3 mm. In ilies places, on reeds and by sweeping aquatic plants; very local; London district, not uncommon, Esher, Hammersmith, Gravesend, Sheerness; Birchington (abundant in ditches); Pegwell Bay ; Hastings ; Horning Fen; Repton ; Lincoln- shire ; not recorded from the north of England or from Scotland. ENDOMYCHIDZ. This family is a somewhat extensive one; according to the Munich catalogue it contains about fifty genera and upwards of four hundred species ; the number, however, has since been largely increased through the researches of the Rev. H. S. Gorham and others; the species are widely distributed over the surface of the globe, but are chiefly found in tropical countries; in Europe the family is represented by seventeen genera and about sixty species; of these only four genera, each contain. ing one species, are found in Britain; one of these, Alexia, has, by many authors, been included under the Coccinellide ; the following are some of the chief characters of the family: antenne long, situated on the front, as a rule 11-jointed, the last three joints sometimes, but not always, forming a distinct club; thorax margined, anterior coxal cavities open behind; mesosternum short, metasternum rather long ; abdomen with five free segments of which the first is sometimes the longest ; legs much longer, as arule, than in the Coccinellide, tarsi plainly 4-jointed or apparently 3-jointed, the third joint being very small and concealed, as in Coccinella ; the species are, to a great extent, fungivorous, but some are phytophagous ; although there are only four British species, yet these represent the three tribes into which the family may naturally be divided, which may be distinguished as follows :— I. Tarsi distinctly 4-jointed . . . MYCETRINA. II. Tarsi dilated, apparently 8-jointed, ‘the third joint being very minute and concealed between the lobes of the second joint. i, Anterior cox contiguous, somewhat conical; prosternum not produced between coxe . . - Daprstna, ii, Anterior coxe distant, subglobose ; prosternum produced ‘be tween cox® . 4). + 6 6 ew ew ee eee el el hw he )6NDOMYOCHINA. ee ee ae a Myceteina.) CLAVICORNIA. 179 MYCETAINA. This tribe comprises a number of small or very small insects which may be known by having the third joint of the tarsi quite distinct and not concealed ; some of the species are oblong or oblong-oval, and some almost hemispherical; by some authors the genus Myrmecoxenus is included in the tribe ; there are three British genera, which may be divided as follows :— I. Form oblong or oblong-oval. i. Antennz 10-jointed; thorax with a strong impressed line on each side extending from base to beyond middle . . . SymstorsEs, Redfé. ii. Antenne 11-jointed ; thorax with a curved longitudinal line on each side extending from base toapex . . . . . Myonrrma, Steph, II. Form rounded, subhemispherical . . . «. « - «. « , ALEXIA, Steph. SYMBIOTES, Redtenbacher. This genus contains about half a dozen species from Europe, the Canary Islands and South America ; they bear a superficial resemblance to Cryptophagus, but may be easily recognized by the sculpture of the thorax. S. latus, Redt. (rubiginosus, Heer.): Oblong-ovate, broad, ferru- ginous or reddish-brown with the thorax often lighter, shiny ; antennz rather long, reddish-testaceous, with a distinct three-jointed club, the first joint of which is as broad as the second; -head rather small, eyes black ; thorax twice as broad as long, about as broad in front as behind, very finely punctured, with a strong longitudinal impression on each side, reaching from base to beyond middle; elytra finely pubescent, with fine punctured strive, interstices smooth, legs reddish-testaceous. L, 13 mm. In rotten stumps, &c.; rare; Richmond Park, Surrey (Champion); Reigate Hill (Saunders) ; Claygate, in fungus on elm stump (Power); Clifton near Bristol (Gorham) ; Bungay, Suffolk (Garneys); in May, 1883, I took a series in an old stump at Nocton near Lincoln. MYCETZZA, Stephens. This genus contains one European species, and another has been de- scribed from the Cape of Good Hope; they are smaller, more oval, and more coarsely punctured than Symbiotes, and the thorax is differently sculptured, M. hirta, Marsh (subterranea, F.; villosa, Beck.). Oblong-ovate, convex, narrowed towards apex, shining, clothed with pale coarse, some- what setose, pubescence ; colour lighter or darker ferruginous or reddish- brown; head small; antennez with a distinct three-jointed club, of which the first joint is evidently narrower than the second; thorax N: 2 180 OLAVICORNIA. [Mycetea. transverse, with sides rounded, sparingly and finely punctured, with a curved line on each side extending from base to apex ; elytra with rows of large coarse punctures; legs reddish-testaceous. L, 1-1} mm. In haystack refuse, dung-heaps, corn-bins, &c.; often in cellars about beer drip- pings and in fungi in wine cellars, in company with Cryptophagus cellaris, Atomaria nigripennis, &c.; generally distributed and common in the London and Southern districts, and widely distributed in the Midlands; not so common further north; Scotland, scarce, Solway, Tweed, and Forth districts. Ireland, near Belfast, Water- ford, and Dublin, and probably common. The larve occasionally bore into wine corks in cellars, and may cause considerable damage. ALEXIA, Stephens. In the Munich catalogue six species are mentioned as belonging to this genus, which have been described from Europe and North and South America ; in the catalogue, however, of Heyden, Reitter, and Weise, fifteen species are described from Europe alone, of which eleven and one variety have lately been introduced by Reitter ; it is probable, therefore, that the genus will be found to be very extensive; it has, by many authors, been included under the Coccinellide, probably on account of its shape, which strongly resembles that of a small Seymnus; it is, however, distinct from that family by reason of the formation of the tarsi, A. pilifera, Mill. (Spherosoma quercus, Steph.). Subglobose, broadest about middle and narrowed in front and behind, of a dark pitchy-black colour, or more or less ferruginous, or reddish, the colour being somewhat variable; upper surface thickly clothed with long, fine, more or less erect pubescence ; thorax transverse, much narrowed in front, exceedingly finely and hardly visibly punctured ; elytra rather thickly and deeply punctured ; legs reddish-testaceous ; the antenne are rather long, reddish-testaceous, terminated by a distinct three-jointed club, the joints of which are of about equal breadth. L. 1 mm. In faggots, fungi, moss, dead leaves, at roots of grass, &c.; locally common; London district generally distributed; St. Péter’s, Kent ; Hastings; Devon; Suffolk, on oaks (Stephens); Repton; Lincoln, Langworth Wood, in faggots; Northumber- land district, rare, Whittle Dene, DAPSINA, This tribe is separated from the Endomychina, chiefly on account of the formation of the prosternum, and the fact that the anterior cox are contiguous ; the ligula also is smaller and differently shaped; it contains five European genera, of which one only is represented in Britain. LYCOPERDINA, Laivrcille. About fifteen species have been described in this genus, of which five ne a mw Py a fe % Lycoperdina. | CLAVICORNIA. 181 occur in Europe and the others are found in North America, Ceylon, Japan, South Africa, Northern Asia, &c. ; it is probably much more ex- tensive than is at present known ; our single species is a curious-looking and conspicuous insect ; it lives exclusively in puff balls, XL. boviste, F. (immaculata, Latr.). Of a dark pitchy-brown or pitchy-black colour, with the base and apex of elytra and the posterior angles of the thorax often lighter; head rather long, much narrower than thorax, with a strong longitudinal impression on front ; antennze long, ferruginous, gradually thickened towards apex, without club; thorax about as long as broad with sides rounded in front and gradually contracted to base, strongly margined, anterior angles prominent, upper surface very finely, scarcely visibly, punctured ; on each side there is a very strong longitudinal depression reaching from base to middle, and there is also a longitudinal depression before scutellum ; elytra convex, broadest about middle, much depressed towards base, and with apex obtusely pointed, extremely finely punctured ; legs pitchy-red, robust ; abdomen composed of five segments. L. 4-4} mm. Male with the posterior tibiz slightly, and the intermediate tibize very slightly, curved. In puff balls (Lycoperdon boviste); very local, but generally in some numbers when found ; Guildford, Mickleham, Esher, Birch Wood, Kimpton, Purley Downs, Rusper ; Shipley near Horsham; Hastings; Clifton near Bristol; it has not been recorded from any locality further north, ENDOMYCHINA, The species belonging to this tribe are, as a rule, very pretty and conspicuous, brightly coloured, insects; they are found either in or about fungi or fungoid growth ; they differ from the preceding tribe in the characters before mentioned. ENDOMYCHUS, Panzer. This genus contains about half a dozen species from Europe, India, . North America, and Japan; three of these occur in Europe, of which one is found in Britain, E. coccineus, L. Oblong or oblong-ovate, slightly convex, shining, glabrous, of a very bright red colour, with the head, a broad longitudinal band on thorax, and two well-marked large round spots on each elytron, black ; the sides of breast also are black or considerably darker than middle ; occasionally the dark band on thorax is indistinct or absent ; . head small, antennz long, black, distinctly thickened towards apex; thorax transverse, considerably narrower than elytra, with anterior angles strongly projecting, and the sides gradually narrowed in front, disc almost impunctate, sides strongly margined ; on each side of centre 182 OLAVICORNIA. [ Endomychus. at base there is a curved impression ; elytra. very finely punctured, — broadly rounded at apex; legs black, with tarsi pitchy-red ; abdomen composed of six segments, L. 5-5} mm. In fungi, and in or near fungoid growth on or under bark of decaying beech, elm, &c.; locally eommon; Sevenoaks, Lewisham, Mickleham, Esher, Westerham, Sheer- ness; Hainault Forest; Abbey Wood; Hastings; Dartmoor, Devon ; Swansea; Neath; Salford Priors near Evesham; Weston-super-Mare; Ripon; Scarborough ; Northumberland and Durham -district; Scotland, rare, Tweed, Forth, and Tay districts ; it is probably widely distributed from Yorkshire southwards, although apparently very local in many districts. EROTYLIDE. This is a very extensive family, and contains a much larger number of species than the Endomychide, which in many respects are closely allied to it; according to the Munich catalogue about eleven hundred species belong to it, comprised in nearly seventy genera, but this number has been since largely increased, through the researches of the Rev. H.S. Gorham and others; with regard to distribution both this and the suc- ceeding family are very poorly represented in temperate climates, and are chiefly characteristic of tropical countries ; in Europe only five genera are found, comprising about twenty species; of these, three genera, repre- sented by six species, occur in Britain; the Southern Temperate Hemi- sphere is more poorly represented in species of both families than the Northern ; Australia, for instance, as far as is at present known, contains only two or three species of Endomychide and four or five Erotylide, whereas New Zealand contains even less Erotylide and no Endomychide ; in the computation of the total number of species given above the Languriide, containing several hundred species, are omitted; these have been, by many authors, included under the Erotylide; but must, most probably, be regarded as a separate family ; the following are some of the chief characters of the Erotylide: antenne 11-jointed, inserted at the sides of the forehead, with the last three or four joints forming a distinct club ; thorax with side margins distinct, anterior coxal cavities closed behind ;* mesosternum moderate, metasternum rather long, ab- domen with five free segments which are about equal in length; legs moderately long, tarsi usually 4-jointed, sometimes 5-jointed; the formation of the tarsi, which are at least plainly 4-jointed, will at once separate the Erotylide from the true Endomychide, in which the third joint is very small, and concealed betiveen the lobes of the second joint, so that they appear 3-jointed ; the addition of the Myceteina to the Endomychide prevents this distinction from being universal, and it might perhaps be the best plan to separate that tribe, as some authors do, as a distinct family Mycetzwide. . * In the Languriidw the coxal cavities are open behind. atin bien aa ee a ee a a eee Erotylide.) OLAVICORNIA, 183 The three British genera may be distinguished as follows :— I. Tarsi distinctly 5-jointed . . . Daons, Latr. (EZngis, Payk.) Il. Tarsi apparently 4-jointed (the ‘fourth joint being very small and connate with fifth). i. Thorax margined at base; form oblong . . . TRIPLAX, Payk, ii, Thorax not margined at base ; form ovate . . CYRTOTRIPLAX, Crotch. a Th ae es (Tritoma, ¥.). DACNE, Latreille (Hngis, Paykull). This genus contains rather more than a dozen species from Europe, South Africa, North America, Japan, &c. ; they may be known by their 5-jointed tarsi ; two of these occur in Britain. PePhotas: rodeghs ols tate ay SES Sat MeN ater tog dine ec II. Thorax pitchy-black . . . . >. » «© « « » + D. RUFIFRONS, F, The larva of D. rufifrons is described acid fieeied by Westwood (Classif., Vol. L., p- 147, Figs. 11, 13); it is narrow, somewhat cylindrical and scaly, with six short fess: and two strong short cerci at the extremity of the body, which is sparingly clothed with scattered hairs, except on head; it is found in boleti in company with the perfect insect. D. humeralis, F. Oblong, black, shining, with the head, thorax, antenne, and legs red, and a spot at each shoulder reddish-yellow ; head rather broad, antenne rather short, with joints 4-8 rounded and trans- verse, 9-11 forming a distinct club; thorax broader than long, corrvex, finely and rather diffusely punctured ; elytra finely punctured in rows ; legs rather stout, tibiw angularly dilated at apex. L. 22-3 mm. In boleti on beech and elm trees ; rare ; Dulwich ; Westerham aa Eastry, Kent ; Sheerness; Wicken Fen, Cambridge; "Hunstanton, Norfolk ; Suffolk ; Bristol ; Llangollen ; Bretby Wood, near Repton, Burton-on-Trent ; Needwood, Staffordshire. D. rufifrons, F. Very like the preceding, but easily known by its colour, which is black or pitchy-black, with the head, antenne, and legs ferruginous, and a more or less distinct spot at shoulder reddish or reddish-yellow ; it is also on the average rather smaller, but there appears to be very little difference of structure or sculpture between the species : immature examples are of a lighter colour, and are sometimes entirely testaceous or reddish-testaceous, L. 23 1_92 mm. In fungoid growth on trees; locally common; eeabs and Southern districts, generally distributed ; South Wales ; Cambridgeshire ; Salford Priors; Bretby Wood, near Repton ; Hunstanton, Norfolk ; Scarborough ; neither of the species appears to ovcur in the Northern counties of England or in Scotland, TRIPLAX, Paykull. Upwards of fifty or sixty species are contained in this genus ; they are widely distributed, but a larger proportion occur in temperate and even. cold countries than is usually the case with genera belonging to the family ; thirteen are found in Europe, but six of these are assigned in the catalogue of Heyden, Reitter, and Weise to the genus Ischyrus, Lac., which is included by them under Triplax ; the genus Ischyrus, according 184 CLAVICORNIA. [Triplax. to the Munich catalogue, contains about sixty species, which are entirely confined to North, Central, and South America, and adjacent islands; three species of 7'riplax occur in Britain, which may be distinguished as follows :— I. Head and abdomen red, i. Elytra black; sizelarger. . « «© © «© » » « YT. BuSsICA, D. ii. Elytra metallic, greenish-blue; sizesmaller , . T. #NEA, Schall. II. Abdomen black; head usually black . . . . » JT. Lacorparrei, Crotch. T. russica, L. Oblong, very shining, head and thorax bright red, elytra black; head triangular, finely and diffusely punctured, eyes black ; antenne black, rather long, with second joint plainly shorter than third, last three joints. forming a distinct club; thorax transverse, sub- rectangular, gradually and slightly narrowed in front, with anterior angles projecting, finely and not closely punctured ; elytra long, gradually con- tracted towards apex, with a. distinct callosity at shoulders, finely punctured in rows, interstices feebly punctured; breast usually black ;- legs red, robust, tibize dilated at apex, tarsi with first three joints plainly dilated. L. 43-7 mm. In fungoid growth on trees; occasionally found under bark ; local; London dis- trict,.rather scarce, Darenth, Mickleham, Coombe Wood, Headley Lane; Eastry, Kent ; Birdbrook, Essex; New Forest; Devonshire; Bristol; Swansea; Cannock Chase ; Notts; Needwood; Repton; Scotland, rare, in fungi, Tay and Moray districts. T. senea, Schall. Much smaller than the preceding; head and thorax red, antennew black; elytra metallic, bluish-green ; scutellum red; thorax a little longer in proportion than in 7’. russica, and elytra with the rows of punctures rather stronger; under-side red; legs red, not so robust as in the preceding species. L. 23-43 mm. In fungoid growth on holly and other trees; rare; Coombe Wood and Meldon Park (Stephens); New Forest ; Needwood ; Scarborough; Northumberland district. T. Lacordairei, Crotch (rujicollis, Steph. ; nigriceps, Lac.). Very closely resembling a minute example of 7. russica; head as a rule black, but sometimes only slightly dusky at sides; antennz blackish or pitchy, with base sometimes lighter; thorax bright red, with sides very slightly rounded, transverse, very finely and not closely punctured ; elytra black, with regular rows of fine punctures ; abdomen black (a character which will at once distinguish the species); legs lighter or darker reddish- testaceous. L. 23-43 mm. In fungoid growth on ash and other trees; very local and rare; Windso esas Erith (Power); Darenth Wood (Champion); Dulwich, one example (T. Wood). CYRTOTRIPLAX, Crotch (Zritoma, F.). This genus contains about twenty species which are widely distributed, representatives occurring in North America, Siberia, Japan, Borneo, West ‘ ; | ee ee ee a ee — Cyrtotriplax.] _ QLAVICORNIA. 185 Africa, &c. ; they may be known by their ovate form, and hy having the base of the thorax unmargined, as well as by the very long third joint of the antenne. The genus Cyrtotriplax was separated by Crotch from Tritoma, but Horn again joins them on the ground that the differences are insuffi- cient ; it is, however, best to adopt the name Cyrtotriplax, as Tritoma is now applied by many authors to Mycetophagus. The larva of C. bipustulata is described and figured by Perris, Larves des Coléoptéres, p. 570, figs. 570—579; it is 5-6 mm. in length, rather broad, slightly narrowed in front and behind, of a yellowish-white colour, with bands of reddish-brown, scantily clothed with very short hairs, and terminated by two short hooks at the end of the anal segment, which is bifid ; the head is narrower than the prothorax, which is the longest of the segments; the antennz and legs are very short; the larva lives in fungi in company with the perfect insect, Cc. bipustulata, F. Ovate, broadest in middle, narrowed in front and behind, black, shining, with a large red spot at shoulders of each elytron, which often nearly meet at suture and enclose a dark space about scutellum: the humeral callosity is often black: sometimes the thorax is red ; head moderate, antennz rather short, red, with distinct black 3-jointed club; thorax transverse, narrowed gradually in front, finely and not closely punctured ; elytra at base about as broad as base of thorax and continuing its outline, with regular rows of fine and closely set punctures, interstices very finely punctured ; legs black, tarsi reddish, tibie dilated at apex, all the coxe very widely distant. L. 3-4 mm. In fungoid growth on old trees and rotten stumps; local, and, as a rule, rare; London district, not uncommon in some localities, Darenth Wood, Richmond Park, Mickleham, Sanderstead, Coombe Wood, Birch Wood; Epping Forest; The Holt, Farnham ; St. Leonards Forest ; Glanvilles Wootton; New Forest; Northumberland district, Dilston (G. Wailes); it has not been found in Scotland; it seems strange that there should be no record from any locality between the Thames district and the extreme north of England, COLYDIIDA, In the Munich catalogue ninety-two genera and three hundred and thirty-nine species are assigned to this family ; these, however, have since been considerably increased by the researches of Mr. Lewis, Dr. Sharp, and others; in the European Catalogue of Heyden, Reitter, and Weise (1883), twenty-nine genera, containing about sixty species, are enu- merated; in Britain, however, only fifteen species, belonging to ten genera, have hitherto been recorded ; to these are added Murmidius and Langelandia, which appear to belong to this family rather than to the Histeride and Lathridiidz, to which they have, as arule, been respectively assigned. I have also, following Thomson, included Myrmecoxenus. The Colydiides may be known from the allied families by the 4-jointed simple tarsi and the fact that the anterior ventral segments are more or less connate; the anterior coxe are usually small and globular; the anterior coxal cavities are sometimes closed and sometimes open behind ; they are found as a rule under bark of trees, in decaying wood, or in 186 CLAVICORNIA. [ Oulydiide. fungi ; they appear to be much more characteristic of tropical than of temperate countries, and as only a few outlying fragments of the family are found in Britain, no attempt need be made to discuss their classifica- tion ; for convenience sake they may be divided into the following tribes ; with regard to the characters, different authors make very contradictory statements ; as regards the anterior coxal cavities, for example, some speak of them as open behind, while others, referring to the same genera, say distinctly that they are closed behind ; the fact seems to be that some genera have them so narrowly closed, that, unless they are carefully examined, they appear to be open ; the same confusion also exists with regard to the relative length of the joints of the tarsi. Dr. Horn regards the Colydiina, which contain in our fauna Colydium and Aglenus, as distinct from the Deretaphrina, containing Teredus and Oxylemus ; they are, however; not sufficiently distinct to be separated, and I have followed Dr. Sharp in including them all under the Deretaphrina. I. Antenne inserted under a distinct frontal ridge ; form more or less elongate or oblong. i. Last joint of labial palpi not acicular. 1, Anterior coxe slightly separated; posterior coxe con- tiguous. A. First ventral segment of abdomen plai:.ly longer than second . . . DERETAPHRINA. B. First’ ventral segment ‘of abdomen about “equal to second. . Cig eee EE ae . « SYNCHITINA. 2, All the coxe distant |. . - . » « » DLANGELANDIINA, ii. Last joint of labial palpi very small, acicular +o « « « « CERYLONINA. II. Antenne inserted on the forehead ; formovate. . . . . MURMIDIINA. . DERETAPHRINA. Of this tribe four out of the five known European genera are British, the fifth genus Aulonium being found in Central Europe; with the exception of Aglenus (which is local in manure-heaps, tan-pits, &c.), they are found under bark or in burrows of wood-boring insects, and are among our very rarest Coleoptera. I, Antenne 11-jointed, club 3-jointed. i, Eyes absent ; size smaller ; palpi with the last joint oblong- AGLENtTS, Er. ovate, truncate at apex. . . ii. Eyes present ; size larger ; palpi with the ‘last joint sub- securiform . . + » « « Corypium, Gyll. II. Antenne 11-jointed, club distinctly ‘ 2-jointed ‘ . TeEREDUS, Shuck. III. Antenne apparently 10-jointed with the club solid, but in- cluding the eleventh joint, which is visible at apex . . . . OxyLemus, Er, AGLENUS, Erichson. One European species is contained in this genus, which has been described under different names from Britain, France, Austria, &c. ; it is = qa i: ; $ 54 + Aglenus. | . CLAVICORNIA. 187 a small reddish-brown cylindrical insect, and is characterized by the absence of eyes. ' A. brunneus, Gyll. Short, cylindrical, ferruginous or reddish- testaceous ; head large, almost as broad as thorax, distinctly punctured ; antenne short, 1l-jointed, with club 3-jointed; thorax about as long as or a little longer than broad, truncate in front and behind, rather thickly punctured ; elytra scarcely longer than head and thorax taken together, somewhat ovate, obsoletely punctured behind, more plainly towards base ; under-side of all the segments of thorax thickly and deeply punctured ; legs short, reddish-testaceous. L. 13-2 mm. In manure-heaps, tan-pits, refuse of corn-bins, old props in cellars, hot-beds, &c. ; local ; Esher ; Ashford, Kent; Cowley; Birdbrook, Essex ; Forest Hill; Edgbaston ; I believe also that it has occurred in Gloucestershire ; it is probably often overlooked. COLYDIUM, Fabricius. A few species are included in this genus from North and Central America, Senegal, &c. ; two occur in Europe, one of which is among the very rarest of our British insects ; it is found only in the New Forest, and appears to be parasitic in the burrows of Platypus cylindrus. C. elongatum, F. Linear, very long and narrow, shining black ; antenn rather short, brownish-red, with a strong 3-jointed club, maxillary palpi with the last joint somewhat securiform ; head diffusely and sparingly punctured ; thorax much longer than broad, very slightly narrowed towards base, rather sparingly and finely but distinetly punc- tured, with a strong and deep complete central furrow, and a smaller one on each side, which are somewhat abbreviated in front and behind ; elytra with the suture and four lines on each side raised, the latter more strongly than the former, with the interstices somewhat rugose and each furnished with two rows of punctures; legs brownish-red, L. 4-6 mm. Under bark, and in old trees, in the burrows of wood-feeding beetles; very rare ; New Forest (Turner, Champion, &.). é My single specimen, which is labelled “ Turner, 1862,” has the head and thorax black and the elytra reddish-brown. TEREDWUS, Shuckhard. ‘Two European species and one from Ceylon are contained in this genus ; one of these is found in Britain ; they are distinguished by their long cylindrical form, and the 2-jointed club of the antenne. T. nitidus, F. (cylindricus, Ol.). Long, narrow, and cylindrical, shining black ; antenne ferruginous; thorax about double as long as broad, as broad in front as elytra, slightly narrowed to base, with all the angles blunt, thickly and finely punctured; elytra parallel, rounded 188 CLAVICORNIA. . [ Teredus, behind, with very finely punctured striz, and the interstices furnished with very fine rows of punctures; legs red. L. 33-4 mm. Under bark of oak, &c., and in decaying stumps; very rare; Sherwood Forest, Mr. Blatch has lately taken several specimens in the old locality, OXYLEMUS, Erichson, This genus contains two European species and one from North America ; they occur under bark of trees, often in company with ants, and are of very rare occurrence. I. Thorax rather closely, although strongly punctured, with four impressions at base, of which the two outer ones reach scarcely one-third of the length of the thorax: 3, :t. 0-8 © chi, Leege tL eeiatte Ms lbice Il. Thorax very coarsely and not thickly punctured, with four impressions at base, of which the two outer ones reach as far as the middle of thorax . . . . O. Variozosts, Duft. O. oyLINDREIcUs, Panz, ©. cylindricus, Panz. Elongate, cylindrical, shining reddish- brown, thinly clothed with short upright hairs; head sparingly and deeply punctured ; antenne rather short, with solid club ; thorax a litile narrower than elytra, scarcely narrowed at base, upper surface coarsely and deeply and rather thickly punctured, with two small deep furrows above scutellum, anda longer triangular impression on each side ; elytra parallel, with eight rows of punctures, all strong and deep, except those of the seventh row which are fine ; legs stout, tibie dilated at apex. L. 3 mm. Under bark of oak ; rare; New Forest, Lyndhurst, &c. (E. Sheppard and others). OQ. variolosus, Duft. (ce@sus, Er.) Very like the preceding, but somewhat broader and less cylindrical, with the thorax more sparingly and less thickly punctured, and with the outer basal impression reaching as far as middle ; the punctures of the strie of elytra are all large and deep, and the under-side of the thorax is more strongly punctured, L. 3 mm. Under bark, by sweeping, &c. ; very rare; first taken at Colney Hatch, Middlesex, by Mr. Dossetor in 1850, and afterwards by Mr. Pelerin in 1854 at Charlton, Kent. Dr. Power has captured it at Mickleham and Claygate, and also at Holm Bush, Brighton ; it is very rare on the continent, where it was first, taken by M. Dufour in a high mountainous district under bark of oak, and afterwards by Herr Gressner in Saxony in company with Formica fuliginosa. SYNCHITINA. A few small European genera are contained in this tribe, of which six are found in Britain ; these may be separated as follows :— I, Antenne very stout without distinct club at apex, but forming a fusiform club almost from base . . . . Orrnocerus, Lair. (Sarrotrium, Ul.) Synchitina. | OLAVICORNIA. 189 II. Antenne rather slender, terminating in a distinct club made up of either one or two joints. i. Sides of thorax and elytra strongly notched; upper surface very scabrous; form broader; tibiwe without apical spines. . « © « « © « «© « © » »« ENDOPHLEDS, Er, ii. Sides of thorax and elytra simple or slightly crenu- late; upper surface not scabrous; form narrower; tibize with small fine apical spines. 1, Antenne 11-jointed, club 2-jointed , , . . . Drroma, Zl, 2. Antenne 10-jointed, club solid. _ A. Grooves for the reception of the antennz WANEING 5) i sie 6s 9k dy ot t. 6 0) ie) JOR MORITA, Helhy, B. Grooves for the reception of the antenne dis- BCG Sy a's, ow are he tei reulis) aye, ve OLOONE; Ourt. III. Antenne rather slender, terminating in a 4- jointed club (species small with facies of a Crypto- Phagus) » . «+ «6 © © © © © © © © © © » » MYRMECOXENUS, Chevr, ORTHOCERWUS, Laireille (Sarrotrium, Il1.). This genus contains three European species, and one from Central Asia ; the single species found in Britain extends over northern Europe and Siberia ; they may be known by the peculiar development of their antenne, O. muticus, L. (clavicornis, L. ; hirticornis, De G.). Greyish-black, clothed with very fine whitish pubescence ; head large, uneven, sub- quadrate, with small, prominent eyes; antennz fusiform, very stout and broad, broadest in middle, joints 4-9 plainly broader than the remainder, pilose and set with long sete ; thorax a little narrower in front than behind, with the posterior angles very blunt, and the anterior angles projeeting, with a deep broad longitudinal furrow bounded on each side by an indistinct raised line ; elytra with rows of deep, crenu- late, punctures, second, fourth, and sixth interstices strongly raised ; legs rather short, tarsi setose beneath. L. 4mm. Sandy places ; at roots of grass, in moss, &c. ; not uncommon, but local ; Sheerness, Shirley, Esher; Lowestoft; Felixstowe; Deal; Dover; Hastings; Hayling Island ; New Forest ; Swansea; Leicester; York; Crosby and Hightown near Liverpool ; Southport ; Northumberland district, near Bamborough Castle ; Scotland, maritime, local, Forth district. ENDOPHLG@WUS, Erichson. This genus contains a few species, three of which are found in Europe, and one has lately been described from Japan by Dr. Sharp; as regards this genus, and in fact all the genera of the Colydiidx, it must be remembered that owing to their retiring habits the species are perpetually passed over, and that. consequently many of those genera that are now restricted to some two or three species, may ultimately be found to be very numerous; the genus may be recognized by its broad form, much raised and scabrous surface, and the serrated sides of thorax and elytra, 190 CLAVICORNIA. [ Endophleus. E. spinulosus, Latr. Oblong, rather broad, reddish-brown, with obscure dark markings, the margins being somewhat lighter, very dull, with short stiff setee at sides and on the various scabrous prominences with which the upper surface is thickly set ; head rather small, sunk in thorax, antenn not stout, with 2-jointed club, the eleventh joint being also dilated; thorax granulate, with anterior angles projecting and par- tially encircling head, sides strongly serrate, dise with irregular longi- tudinal ridge in centre; elytra with rough interrupted ridges and prominences, two near suture being strongly defined at base, margins serrate, but not so strongly as in thorax ; legs rather short, ferruginous. L. 4-6 mm. Under bark and in decaying wood, among the débris of the borings of Leptura scutellata ; very rare; New Forest; this species was one of Charles Turner’s great “‘finds;’ I have the original specimen in my ‘possession labelled “ New Forest, March 8, 1862.”’ ‘ DITOMA, Illiger (Synchitodes, Crotch). With the exception of the genera Tarphius and Bothrideres this genus is one of the most numerous in point of species, and the most widely distributed of the Colydiide; species have been recorded from North and South America, Ceylon, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Western Africa, Cuba, &c.; only one has hitherto been found in Europe ; it is somewhat local, but not uncommon in Britain, The larva of D. crenata is described and figured by Perris (Ann. Fr., 1853, p. 614, Pl. 18, fig. 110); it is6 mm. in length, linear and depressed, of a whitish colour, with a reddish tinge on some portions of the body ; the head is suborbicular, narrower than the prothorax ; the rest of the segments are of about equal breadth, the body being somewhat moniliform; the last segment is darker at apex than the rest, and terminates in two rather long produced points at sides, and two shorter ones within these; the legs and antenne are very short. The larva is found under bark of oaks and pines devouring the larve of species of Tomicus. D. crenata, F. Elongate, parallel-sided, depressed, dull black, with exceedingly fine greyish pubescence, elytra with two larger or smaller reddish patches on each, which sometimes cover all the elytra except a narrow space at suture and in middle; head narrower than thorax, antenne ferruginous, with 2-jointed club; thorax almost as long as broad, a little narrower at base than elytra, with all the angles obtuse, upper-side rugosely punctured, with two raised lines on each side ; elytra parallel, rounded at apex, with rows of regular punctures, alternate interstices slightly raised. L. 3 mm, Under bark of oak, beech, fir, &c. ; local, but not uncommon ; Mickleham ; Loughton ; Hainault ; Windsor Forest ; The Holt, Farnham; St. Leonards Forest ; New Forest ; very doubtful as Scottish, Forth district ; « Duddingstone and South of Scotland, Ent. Edin. ;” if we may judge by the fact that it occurs in no intervening district, this record is almost certainly erroneous; it has never been taken by Dr. Sharp or any other collector in Scotland that I know of. 5 af 3 Synchita.] CLAVICORNIA. 191 SYNCHITA, Hellw. (Ditoma, H. R. W.). This genus contains about fifteen species, which are very widely distributed, representatives being recorded from North and South America, Africa, the Antilles, &c.; three oecur in Europe, of which two have for some time been regarded as British ; Dr. Sharp, however (Ent. Monthly Mag. xxii. 44), shows conclusively that we do not possess S. mediolanensis, which was introduced with considerable hesitation by Mr. Rye in the Entomologists’ Annual for 1868, p. 65. All our specimens must therefore be referred to S. juglandis, which appears to vary considerably both as regards colour and size. S. juglandis, F. (v. obscura, Redt.). Oblong, fuscous, with the thorax sometimes darker than the elytra, dull; the colour, however, is variable ; upper surface rather depressed ; antenne brownish-red, with the club lighter, apparently solid; head much narrower than thorax, thickly and finely rugose ; thorax a little narrower than elytra, broader than long, margined, with all the angles blunt, very thickly and rugosely punctured ; elytra with regular rows of strong crenulate punctures, and the interstices finely wrinkled ; on each row of punctures and on each interstice there is a row of fine grey outstanding sete; the colour of the elytra is usually fuscous, with a lighter spot at each shoulder, but sometimes it is unicolorous testaceous-brown ; legs ferruginous. L. 2-42 mm. Under bark of deciduous trees, in old stumps, &c.; very rare; New Forest (taken by Turner, and lately in some numbers by Mr. Gorham and Dr. Sharp); Stephens records it from the London district, and Haliday from near Belfast ; I believe that Mr. Crotch is said to have taken it at Thetford, near Merton, Surrey. CICONES, Curtis. In the Munich catalogue four species only are enumerated under this genus, two from Europe, one from Tahiti, and one from Ceylon; further species, however, have been found in Ceylon, and Dr. Sharp has lately described two from Japan, so that the genus is probably a numerous and widely distributed one; it differs from Ditoma by its solid club, and from Synchita by having distinct grooves for the reception of the antenne. C. variegatus, Hellw. (carpini, Curt.). Oblong, rather broad, fuscous, sometimes nearly black, clothed with more or less distinct short yellowish and brownish hairs, elytra irregularly variegated with yellowish bands ; antenne and legs reddish ; head much narrower than thorax ; thorax about as broad as elytra, rather strongly transverse, anterior angles produced, posterior angles almost right angles ; disc uneven ; elytra with rows of punctures, which are somewhat irregular between the interstices, alternate interstices slightly raised ; legs short. L. 3 mm. 192 CLAVICORNIA. [ Cicones. Under bark of beech and hornbeam; rare; Bromley (Kent), Chatham, Mickleham, Loughton, Epping Forest, Westerham, Farnborough ; New Forest. MYRMECOXENUS, Chevrolat. This genus has given rise to much discussion, and its true position still remains in some doubt; it has the facies of a Oryptophagus, and has by some authors been placed near that genus, but the 4-jointed tarsi, more or less connate first segments of abdomen, and the fact that the anterior coxal cavities are closed behind, seem to point to a very different position ; it has also been placed among the Lathridiide and the Mycetophagide and under the Endomychide as forming a portion of the Mycetwina; on the whole, however, its most natural position seems to be with the Synchitina, and I have therefore placed it in this tribe, although it is more than possible that further researches may cause it to be very diffe- rently located ; the genus contains four species, which are chiefly found in Central and Southern Europe. M. vaporariorum, Guér. Oblong, rather depressed, somewhat shining, ferrugino-testaceous, with the apex of abdomen dark, clothed with very fine pale pubescence, and very closely but somewhat distinctly punctured; head rather large, triangular, eyes black, somewhat promi- nent; antenne rather short, testaceous, thickened towards apex, 11- jointed, with a gradual 4-jointed elub; thorax slightly transverse, with the sides gradually and slightly rounded in front and narrowed behind ; elytra broader than thorax, somewhat widest behind middle, with shoul- ders well marked, reddish-testaceous with the colour sometimes a little darker at sides, base, and apex; pygidium not quite covered by elytra; legs ferruginous. L, 1} mm. In dung-heaps, hot-beds, and vegetable refuse ; rare; Carshalton, Surrey (Janson) ; Dulwich (T. Wood); Weston-super-Mare (Crotch); Edgbaston and Knowle near Birmingham (Blatch); Manchester district ; Withington, Cheshire (Chappell), LANGELANDIINA. I have adopted this tribe to include the genera Langelandia, Aubé, and Agelandia, Reitter, which are usually included under the Lathri- diide ; Herr Reitter, however, placed them among the Colydiidz on the ground that the tarsi are 4-jointed, and not 3-jointed as they have generally been supposed to be ; M. Belon (Annales de la Soc. Linnéenne de Lyon, 1881, p. 199) takes very strong exception to-the view adopted by Herr Reitter, and says that neither he himself, nor other entomologists whom he has consulted, have been able to discover more than three joints to the tarsi; I have, however, had some correspondence with M. Belon on the subject, in which he says that since the publication of his work on the Lathridiidz above referred to he has seen an example of ee ee ee ee eee ee en ee ee a Langelundiina. | CLAVICORNIA. 193 Langelandia (Agelandia) grandis, which undoubtedly has four joints to the tarsi ; this species is very closely related to Langelundia anophthalma, and cannot be separated far from it; if then this latter species has 3-jointed tarsi, great confusion arises as to the proper classification. M. Belon rather inclines to the plan of classing the Colydiide and Lath- ridiide together under one family, so as to include the groups with three joints to the tarsi as well as those with four joints ; the only other plan to be adopted (if Langelandia has 3-jointed tarsi, which does not seem as yet to be proved with absolute certainty) is to form a separate family Langelandiide ; as, however, M. Belon observes, it appears ‘ exorbitant de leur donner rang de famille ;” if, however, they are not given family rank, I feel certain they must be classed with the Colydiide, as they bear a far greater affinity to such genera as Ditoma than to any of the Lath- ridiidex. sd LANGELANDIA, Aubé. This genus contains four European species, one of which has quite recently been found in Britain; they are characterized by having no eyes, and by the fact that all the coxe are more or less distant ; they are usually found in rotten wood, seed potatoes, &c., buried at some distance underground. The larva of L. anophthalma is described by Perris (Larves des Coléoptiéres, p. 77) ; the description, however, does not quite agree with that of a larva taken by Mr. T. Wood in company with the perfect insect, and which I feel certain is the larva of Langelandia ; Perris describes the larva as linear, but the larva before me is strongly strangulate in the middle of body, and the abdomen is widened behind and terminates in two strong pointed processes ; Perris states that the larva is linear, and that the _ abdominal segments are gradually larger until the sixth, and that the ninth terminates in two moderately curved hooks ; the pupa appears to be distinguished by having the large flat head resting on the thoracic region. i. anophthalma, Aubé. Elongate, subparallel, not convex, of a dull ferruginous colour; head much narrower than thorax, uneven; antenne short and stout, with distinct 2-jointed club; thorax much longer than broad, widest a little before apex, slightly narrowed to base, ‘anterior angles produced, posterior angles obtuse, lateral margin bordered and more or less strongly crenulated, disc with three more or less distinct longitudinal keels; elytra with the suture and two lines on each raised, the intervals being more or less coarsely punctured in rows ; legs ferru- ginous. L. 25-35 mm. This species has only been recently discovered in Britain by Mr. T. Wood, who took it in his garden at St. Peter’s, Kent, in decaying sced potatoes underground, and where I had the pleasure of taking it with him last summer (1836) ; the insect is extremely sluggish in its movements, and might be easily overlooked. CERYLONINA. This tribe contains two European genera, Philothermus and Cerylon, VOL, III. : 0. 194 CLAVICORNIA. [ Cerylonina. the former of which has the club plainly 2-jointed, whereas in the latter it is solid ; they are small oblong or oval insects, and are distinguished by having the last joint of the palpi small and acicular, and the penulti- mate joint dilated ; all the cox are widely separated ; the genus Cerylon alone occurs in Britain. CERYLON, Laireille. About thirty species are contained in this genus, which are widely distributed throughout the world, representatives being found in North. and South America, Ceylon, Tahiti, New Caledonia, Madagascar, &c.; nine or ten species are found in Europe, of which four are British ; for a description of these the student is referred to a paper by myself in the Entomologists’ Monthly Magazine, vol. xxiii. pp. 71-76"; the species are small robust insects, and live under bark of decaying trees, logs, &c. ; sometimes they are found in ants’ nests ; the shape of the thorax differs considerably in the two sexes, a point that must be carefully noticed. The larva of C. histeroides is described by Perris (Ann. Fr. 1853, p. 616) ; it is elon- gate, somewhat parallel, entirely white with reddish head; head depressed, antennze 4-jointed, with the last joint as long as all the preceding; prothorax longer than either meso- or metathorax, both of which are longer than the abdominal segments, which are of equal length until the last, which is somewhat developed, and has on the back two papille, each furnished with a longhair; itis deeply emarginate behind, and the lobes of the emargination appear to be trifid at apex; tarsi short and stout, 8-jointed ; legs ciliate. The larva, according to M. Perris, lives in the galleries of Hylurgus piniperda, of which it destroys the larva; it is also found in other trees than pine trees, where it probably destroys the larve of other wood-boring beetles. I. Form eee upper surface pitchy-brown or nearly black. i. Antenne more slender; basal impressions of thorax transverse and rather shallow; thorax somewhat closely punctured . . . . + «© « « « « « O, HISTEROIDES, F, ii, Antenne thicker; basal impressions of thorax longitudinal and deep; thorax strongly and spar- ingly punctured . . .°.> 3 + 1s ee ee 6, BAGT, Bris, IL. Form narrower and more parallel ; upper surface nearly ; always ferruginous testaceous. i, Upper surface slightly convex ; sides of thorax almost parallel ; basal impressions of thorax distinct ; strie = of elytra becoming evanescent towards apex. . . C, FERRUGINEUM, Steph. ii. Upper surface much depressed ; strice of elytra reach- ing apex. . . © + « © © © « © « « « + Ws DEPLANATUM, Gull. Cc. histeroides, F. Dark pitchy-black, ferruginous or reddish- ferruginous in immature examples, not very convex ; antenne ferruginous ; thorax thickly and rather strongly punctured, in the male a little shorter than broad, and a little widened and rounded in front, so that its greatest breadth is before middle ; in the female it is just as long as broad, very slightly and almost imperceptibly narrowed in front, so that it is broadest at base ; elytra slightly dilated and widened at sides, rather depressed, ef] ake «atari, an Be : ~S wo) m'« Cerylon.} CLAVICORNIAs 195 with distinct striae, which are plainly punctured, and usually become obsolete near apex ; interstices flat, finely punctured in more or less irregular rows, legs reddish or pitchy-red. L. 2-2} mm. Under bark of pines, elms, oaks, and many other trees; also in ants’ nests; common and generally distributed over the greater part of England and probably Ireland ; it is apparently less common further north; Mr. Bold records it as rare from the Northumberland district, and Dr. Sharp says that it is local in Scotland in the Tay and Dee districts. Mr. Blatch has taken a large mahogany-brown coloured variety in great profusion in Buddon Wood, Leicestershire, in nests of Formica rufa. V. longicolle, Reitt. This appears te bea form of Reitter’s v. cawcasicum of C. histeroides, which is chiefly distinguished by its longer thorax. In Dr. Sharp’s collection there is a specimen answering to my specimen from Herr Reitter, which is labelled as ‘bought from Turner;” no locality, however, is attached. C. fagi, Bris. (forticorne, Muls.). Broader and more convex than C. histeroides, and with the elytra more dilated in front; the antennz are shorter and stouter, ferruginous, with the first and last joints lighter, and the thorax is evidently more strongly and much more sparingly punctured, especially on disc, and at the base is furnished with larger impressions, which are oblong, and more distinct than in the preceding species ; the thorax, moreover, is almost parallel-sided in the male, and evidently narrowed in front in the female; the strie of the elytra are rather finely punctured, and the interstices, as a rule, are almost smooth. L, 2-2} mm. Under bark and in rotten wood, especially of beech; not common; Chatham, Sevenoaks, Cobham Park, Twickenham, St. Mary Cray, Mickleham, T:lgate, Darenth ; The Holt, Farnham ; Dean Forest. V. excavatum, Fowler. This variety has the basal impressions of thorax continued nearly to the anterior margin, leaving a more or less defined broad raised longitudinal space in middle. Warlingham, Surrey ; three or four specimens have been taken in this locality by Mr. W. T. Saunders; they may possibly be identical with C. foveolatum, Baudi, but I have never seen a specimen of this species; it is, moreover, omitted in the last European catalogue, and is unknown to Herr Reitter, who is the chief authority on the European species. Cc. ferrugineum, Steph. (angustatum, Er.). Rufo-ferruginous, oblong, parallel-sided ; smaller and narrower than C. histeroides, to im- mature specimens of which species it bears a considerable resemblance ; thorax rather strongly punctured, thickly at sides less thickly on disc, in male a little longer than broad, very slightly widened in front, in female evidently longer than broad, parallel-sided, basal impressions distinct but not large ; elytra with sides a little rounded, with rather strong punctured strice which, at sides, are more or less evanescent towards apex, first interstice next suture with a row of very fine punc- tures ; sutural stria evidently deepened at apex. LL, 2-2} mm. 0 2 196 CLAVICORNIA. [ Cerylon. Under bark of all kinds of deciduous trees, especially beeches ; very local, but oc-. casionally abundant ; Chatham ; Cobham Park, Kent; New Forest; Dean Forest ; Cannock Chase; Sherwood Forest; Withington, Cheshire, in decayed root of line tree; Scotland, rare, Tay district, Aviemore. Cc. deplanatum, Gyll. Closely allied to the preceding, but rather smaller and more depressed, being the flattest of all the European species ; in the male.the thorax is evidently, although gradually, narrowed towards base, in the female the sides are almost straight, in both sexes it is longer than broad; the basal impressions are very small, and often only indicated by a very narrow fovea at base, which sometimes is almost absent ; this point will distinguish it from the preceding, and also from the continental species C. tmpressum, which it much resembles; the strie of the elytra are moderate and reach apex; the sutural stria is, however, not deeper at apex. L. 13-2 mm. Very rare in Britain; I only know of two or three examples, taken, I believe, by Mr. Gorham in the New Forest; Dr. Sharp’s specimens from Scotland, that stand under the name, appear to be only small varieties of C. ferruginewm ; the species is found rarely in Central Europe, under bark of beech, aspen, poplar, and probably other deciduous trees. MURMIDIINA. In some respects this tribe appears to be related to the Histeride, but it differs in having the tarsi 4-jointed ; unless, therefore, we can raise the tribe to the rank of a family, it seems the best course to class it with the Colydiide ; it must be admitted, however, that it appears to be. a some- what abnormal member of the family, and that as regards the develop- ment of the prosternal lobe it much resembles Hister and its allies; its present position must, perhaps, be regarded as merely provisional. MURIMIDIVS, Leach. This genus contains two species, which are found in Europe and America ; one of these occurs very rarely in Britain. IM. ovalis, Beck (ferrugineus, Leach). Short oval, rather convex, shining, lighter or darker castaneous; head narrower than thorax ; antenns very short, ferruginous, with a subglobose, apparently one- jointed, club; thorax very slightly narrower at base than elytra, very transverse, obsoletely punctured, with two abbreviated strig on each side, posterior angles right angles; elytra rounded at sides and apex, with rows of rather large punctures, which become evanescent towards apex ; legs ferruginous, tibize somewhat arcuate. L. 1 mm. In dead leaves, cut grass &c.; mostly found, however, in old rice, hay, &c.; Mad- ingley Wood, Cambridgeshire, Dec. 1831 (Power) ; Shirley, near Croydon (Champion) ; London, in an old truss of hay bought for packing purposes (Janson). , Histerid«.] CLAVICORNIA, 197 HISTERIDZ. This family, according to the Munich catalogue of 1868, contains 60 genera and 1150 species ; since that time, however, a large number of species and about 20 genera have been added through the researches of Schmidt, Lewis, and other Coleopterists who have especially studied the group; as a rule the members of the family are conspicuous for their smooth shining appearance, and the total want of pubescence ; some few genera, however, have the outer skeleton very opaque and are strongly sulcate ; the chief characters of the family are as follows: antenne short, geniculate, capable of being retracted, club distinct and com- pact and as a rule received into cavities of the prosternum; thorax closely applied to elytra; prosternum frequently lobed in front; coxal cavities open behind; mesosternum variable in shape, metasternum very large; elytra truncate behind, leaving the pygidium and propygidium uncovered ; abdomen with five free ventral segments ; legs short, capable of being retracted closely underneath body, tarsi short and slender and in most genera received in grooves on the anterior face of the tibiw, usually 5-jointed, but in one or two genera the posterior pair are 4-jointed ; intermediate and posterior coxz widely separated. The greater number of the species are found in dung and carcases, but the Hololeptina, which are remarkable for their flat appearance and prominent head, as well as for the peculiar structure of their mandibles and maxille, live under the bark of trees; of these we possess no repre- sentatives, but one or two of our genera, as Paromalus and Abreus, occur in damp rotten wood, and another, Teretrius, appears to be parasitic on certain wood-feeding beetles; one or two species are found exclusively in ants’ nests, . The species as a rule are round or oval or more or less oblong, rarely cylindrical, of a unicolorous shining black or brownish colour, sometimes greenish or bluish, and occasionally metallic, with more or less-distinct striation on the elytra; sometimes the elytra are marked with bright red spots or patches. ‘It may perhaps be observed that there is considerable difference among the writers on this family as to its-generic classification. The larve of the Histeride are distinguished by the absence of ocelli, the soft- ness of their integument, the upper surface of the abdomen being often much wrinkled, the very short legs which in Hister are not visible from above, and the broad niuth segment of the abdomen which bears two short, 2-jointed cerci; they are furnished with large and powerful jaws, and are carnivorous and very voracious. Our British genera may be distinguished as follows :— I. Upper surface not costate (in the European species) .* i. Prosternum lobed in front, covering under-side of head. * Hister costatus from Mexico has the opaque exoskeleton and costate sculpture of Onthophilus, but it is at present the only species known that presents this pecu- liarity. 198 CLAVICORNIA. I. Antenn@ inserted in cavities which are anterior, open in front, and more or less completely closed beneath by the lobe of the prosternum, which is strong. A. Club of antenne oval, pubescent, usually dis- tinctly ined ss 0) Goi. yal aes en ees B. Club of antennx obconical, without pubescence, PRR 6a cer aul ogee pcch ew rep 2. Antenne inserted in cavities at the middle of the inflexed portion of the thorax, near the sides. A. Middle and posterior tibiz slender ; front tibiae dilated. a. Elytra regularly and strongly striate; body oval; scutellum conspicuous . ... . . b. Elytra with dorsal strie more or less obsolete ; body oblong ; scutellum inconspicuous . . . B. All the tibie dilated; body oval . . .. ii. Prosternum not lobed in front, truncate. 1. Antenne inserted under the margin of the fore- head ; mandibles prominent. ; A. Anterior tibie without distinct spines; upper surface very obsoletely striate at sides. . . . B. Anterior tibize distinctly spined ; upper surface striate and more or less punctured. a. Forehead with a distinct impressed stria b. Forehead without. impressed stria . . . . 2. Antenne inserted on the forehead; mandibles small, not prominent. A. Posterior tibiz distinctly toothed ; form sub- cylindrical . . B. Posterior tibie not more or less ovate. : a. Thorax with a deep transverse furrow in middle . e . . . . . . . . ° * b. Thorax without transverse furrow. a*, All the tarsi 5-jointed; elytra without marginal stria; sizelarger . .. . . b*. Posterior tarsi 4-jointed ; elytra with mar- ginal stria, situated on epipleure; size emaller is 0° °s. a se ea ee II. Upper surface strongly costate; prosternum feebly lobed infront . . .. . 4. HISTER, Linné. ‘or “scarcely toothed ; form . . . . . . ° This extensive genus contains at present about three hundred and twenty species, which are widely distributed throughout the world, both in tropical and temperate regions ; about sixty of these species occur in Europe, fifteen of which are found in Britain; two or three of these, however, are doubtfully indigenous; they are found in dung, hot-beds, decaying fungi, or carcases, and when alarmed, retract their limbs and antenne and remain motionless,* [ Histeride. Hister, L. Herzazivs, Er. Carcrnors, Mars. ParoMatts, Er. DENDROPHILUS, Leach. MyRMETES, Marsh. Saprinvs, Er. GNATHONCUS, Dur. TERETRIUS, Er. PLEGADERTS, Er, Azsrzus, Leach. Acoritts, Lec. OntTHOPHILUS, Leach, * Hence their name, which is the primary Etruscan form of hisério, an actor, and was applied to them by Linné in allusion to their feigning death. us se Hister. CLAVICORNIA. 199 The larva of H. wnicofor is described and figured by Schiédte, De Metamorphosi Eleutheratorum, Part ii. p. 62, Plate i. fig. 1; it is ofa dirty- -white colour with the corneous parts fuscous and the coriaceous parts yellowish ; it is rather broad and almost parallel-sided until the ninth segment of abdomen, which is broad and bears two short cerci composed of two joints ; the head is narrower than prothorax, with very powerful mandibles; ocelli wanting ; antenne short; prothorax large, longer than meso- and metathorax together, these two latter being very short; the pro- thorax is deeply channelled in the centre and at sides; the abdominal segments are contracted at apex and base, and each is furnished with a row of minute scuta in front and behind ; legs very short, not or scarcely visible from above. I. Thorax coarsely punctured on the under surface of margins ; antennal cavities not distinct ; size larger ; elytra with four more or less distinct red markings often confluent . .. . . H. QUADRIMACULATUS, ZL. II. Thorax with under surface of margins almost impunctate ; antennal cavities always well marked ; size smaller, i, Mesosternum emarginate in front, prosternum rounded at base. 1. Elytra with an outer lateral stria abbre- viated behind, and an inner lateral stria abbreviated in front, not meeting; three dorsal stris, as a rule, entire. 4% . H. unticotor, Z, 2, Elytra witha continuous outer marginal stria only; four dorsal striz, as a rule, entire. A. Thorax with two strie near margins. a. Form long oval, subparallel; club of antenne red ; anterior tibize with four testh~ , .. . H. MeRpDakivs, Hoff. b. Form short oval ; ; “ekub: of antenns black-brown; anterior tibies with 5-6 teeth. a*, Frontal stria in the form of a semicircle, often obsolete in middle ; average size larger; —- not rugosely punctured . . . . H. cADAVERINGS, Hoff, b*. Frontal stria always entire, in the form of a semicircle depressed at — vertex into an angle pointing back- wards; average size smaller; epi- pleurze rugosely punctured. . . . H. succrcona, Thoms. B. Thorax with one stria only near margins. a. Lateral stria on elytra abbreviated behind and usually also in front . . . H. stERcoRARIUS, Hoff. b. Lateral stria on elytra entire. a*, Epipleuree smooth; elytra with a large ill-defined reddish spot on each (rarely absent and sometimes suffused over the whole elytra) . . . . . H. puRPURASCENS, Herbst. b*. Epipleurse punctured; elytra always unicolorous black. af. Sutural stria of elytra almost entire; elytra with a trace of a fifth dorsal stria at base ;* teeth’of front tibiv very fine . . . . . H. mMarernarvs, Er. * In this work the first dorsal stria of elytra ‘is regarded as next the marginal 200 CLAVICORNIA. [ Hister. bf. Sutural stria of elytra reaching only from about middte to apex ; teeth of front tibis: rather strong, at. Size larger ; thorax less strong ly narrowed in front; frontal stria more distinctly angled in FUAQIIC a's * oh we ale) see by. Size smaller; thorax more strongly narrowed in _ front; frontal stria less distinetly angled in middle . . . . . H. carsonanrivs, Ill, 8. Elytra without lateral stria; thorax with two lateral strie on each side, the outer one being sometimes visible only near anterior angles. A. Elytra black with red markings. a. Prosternal process emarginate at apex ; outer lateral stria of thorax long, scarcely abbreviated . . . . . . (H. QuaDRINOTATUS, Scriba.) b. Prosternal process not emarginate, more or less pointed or rounded; outer lateral stria of thorax abbreviated . . (H. sinuarus, IU.) B. Elytra entirely black; outer lateral stria of thorax very short, visible at anterior angles... 3.: a5 teas te cee eee ii. Mesosternum truncate in front or slightly rounded, prosternum quite straight; thorax with one lateral stria on each side (sub-gen. Atholus, Thoms.) 1. Elytra black; anterior tibie with three teeth. A. Elytra without marginal subhumeral stria oe Se a SP ON EIE ie. oe. LETRA RN Beh. B. Elytra with a more or less distinct abbre- viated subhumeral stria . . . . . . Vas. 14-stRiatus, Gyll. 2. Elytra with a large red spot on each towards : apex ; anterior tibia: with four teeth . . . H. Brmacuxarus, L. H. ne@wectus, Germ, H, BISSEXSTRIATUS, F, H. quadrimaculatus, L. Somewhat depressed, oblong-or subquad- rate, with sides somewhat widened and rounded in middle; black with a large crescent-shaped red spot on each, which is very variable in shape, being often interrupted and forming four patches, and sometimes being absent altogether (V. @thiops, Heer); thorax with one entire lateral stria, and a much abbreviated outer stria which is sometimes obsolete ; elytra with no sutural stria, but with three entire dorsal strize and an abbreviated subhumeral stria ; pygidium much more thickly punctured than propygidium ; anterior tibize with three strong teeth, L. 7-11 mm. stria; by some authors the striw are counted from the sutural stria, but as the stris near suture are usually abbreviated and often obsolete, this method of counting gives rise to much confusion. Hister.] CLAVICORNIA, 201 In moss, dung, careases, flood refuse, &c.; often under stones, and sometimes on the wing settling on white objects such as sails or sheets; usually found on or near the coast; London district, not uncommon (Champion); Whitstable, Gravesend, Sheerness, Chatham; Herne Bay; Ramsgate; Deal; Southsea; New Forest; Ile of Wight; as a rule it is decidedly a rare species, but seems at times to be found in abundance; Stephens (Illust. vol. iii. p. 146) quotes a record by Lieut, Davies in Loudon’s Magazine as follows : ‘‘ Hister 4-maculatus, of which I had previously taken few specimens, now (1827) covered Southsea Common, so that many were crushed under foot at each step.’’ H. unicolor, L. Short oval, almost orbicular, entirely black ; fore- head obsoletely impressed, frontal stria entire, sinuate; thorax convex, strongly narrowed in front, with two lateral striae, of which the internal is almost entire and the external is much abhieviated ; elytra with outer lateral stria abbreviated, and three dorsal striz, as a rule, entire ; sutural stria only reaching to about middle ; pygidium more closely punctured than propygidium ; legs pitchy-black, anterior tibiz considerably dilated, and armed with three teeth, the apical one of which is bifid. L. 8-10 “mm. In dung, carcases, at sap of felled trees, &c.; general'y distributed and common in the London district and the south ; less common farther north ; Repton; Bewdley ; Shrewsbury ; Liverpool district ; Northumberland district ; doubtful as Scottish ; Dr. Sharp says that it is recorded by Murray as occasional, and by McGillivray from Aberdeen, but he has never seen a Scottish specimen ; Ireland, near Belfast. H. merdarius, Hoff. Oblong, subparallel, shining black ; club of antenne reddish ; frontal stria entire; thorax with two strong entire lateral striz which have the interval between them plainly punctured as a rule, but not always ; elytra with outer marginal stria and the next four dorsal striz entire, sutural stria abbreviated ; pygidium more closely punctured than propygidium ; epipleure finely punctured ; anterior tibiz with four teeth. L. 6mm. In dung, vegetable refuse, &c.; rare ; Forest Hill, Battersea Ficlds, Horsell, Woking ; Aylsham ; New Forest; Wisbeach; Nottinghamshire; Hcrefordshire; Foremark, near Repton. This species may be distinguished from the succeeding by its smaller size, subparallel form, and the denticulation of the anterior tibie. Hi. cadaverinus, Hoff. (striola, Sahlb.). Larger than the preceding, oval, somewhat depressed, shining black, frontal stria semicircular, entire or interrupted ; antenne pitchy-black or brownish; thorax with two lateral striae on each side which are usually entire; elytra with outer marginal stria and the next four dorsal striz entire, sutural stria much abbreviated ; pygidium a little more elosely punctured than propygidium; epipleure strongly punctured ; anterior tibie with five or six teeth which are distinctly sharper than those of the preceding species ; posterior tibize rather short and broad. L. 6-9 mm. In dung, carcases, flood refuse, &e.; generally distributed and common in the London district and the south ; less common but generally distributed further north ; Scotland, rare, Solway and Moray districts; Ireland, near Belfast and Dublin, and probably widely distributed. - 202 CLAVICORNIA. [ ister. H. succicola, Thoms. Allied to the preceding species, but easily distinguished by the frontal stria which is always entire and biarcuate, and by the prosternal process not being truncate at apex, as well as by having the pygidium more thickly and finely punctured, and the epi- pleure rugosely punctured; the habitat also is usually different. L. 53-7 mm. In ecareases, putrid fungi, and at sap of trees; local; Darenth Wood, Sevenoaks, Mickleham, Esher, Ashtead, Shirley, Dulwich, Birch Wood; Knowle; Cannock Chase ; Bewdley ; Sherwood Forest (in carcase); Repton; Northumberland district, not uncommon in fungi; Scotland, common, Lowlands and Highlands, in decaying vegetable matter, Solway and Tay districts, &c, . H. stercorarius, Hoff. Black, shining, rather elongate and parallel-sided ; frontal stria entire, semicircular, slightly depressed at vertex ; thorax short with one lateral stria which is* somewhat remote from margin ; elytra rather finely striated, the lateral stria. being very short, abbreviated behind, and usually also in front, the next three entire ; the sutural stria much abbreviated in front, sides scarcely dilated ; pygi- dium thickly and coarsely punctured, but not quite so coarsely as propy- gidium ; tibiae much dilated, anterior pair with three or four broad strong teeth. L. 5 mm. Tn dung, &e.; rare; Liverpool district ; recorded by Stephens as not uncommon in the vicinity of London, and also from Netley, Norfolk, and Swansea ; it does not, however, appear to have been taken near London for many years, and Stephens’ record may be in error. The species may be known from the others that have but one lateral stria on thorax by its more parallel form, very short marginal stria of elytra, and the dentation of the anterior tibie. H. purpurascens, Herbst. (castanipes, Steph.). Black, shining ; oval, not very convex ; frontal stria entire ; thorax rather short with one strong lateral stria ; elytra somewhat dilated in middle, with a large ill- defined reddish or purplish patch on each; the colour is sometimes diffused over the whole elytra, and very rarely the elytra are quite black (V. niger, Er.) ; the marginal and four dorsal strize are entire, and the sutural stria reaches a little beyond middle; pygidium a little less strongly and thickly punctured than propygidium ; anterior tibize with five teeth, of which the apical one is bifid. L. 33-45 mm. In moss, cut grass, vegetable refuse, bottoms of haystacks, &c. ; rather commen and generally distributed in the London district ; Deal; Whitstable; Swansea; Knowle ; Leicestershire ; Wicken Fen; Sherwood Forest; Cheshire; Lancashire; Northum- berland district, rare; Scotland, Lowlands, rare, in sandy places, Clyde and Moray districts; Ireland, near Belfast and Dublin. H. marginatus, Er. This species is distinguished from the two following by its smaller size and suborbicular outline, and also by having the marginal stria of the elytra entire and a rudiment of a fifth dorsal FTister.] CLAVICORNIA. 203 stria at base ; the anterior tibize are furnished with six very fine teeth, of which the apical one is bifid. L. 4} mm. . Under dead leaves, in refuse, &c.; apparently very rare, although it may be mixed with allied species in collections; taken, I believe, by Mr. Waterhouse, and I have seen a specimen in Mr. E. Brown’s collection, without locality. Guestling, near Hastings (Butler) ; Scotland, very rare, Solway district (Sharp) ; it is very rare in France. H. neglectus, Germ. Oblong, moderately convex ; forehead even, frontal stria entire ; thorax short with one strong lateral stria situated at some distance from margin; elytra long with the marginal and first three dorsal strive entire, the fourth reaching very nearly to base, and the sutural stria not or scarcely reaching middle; propygidium and pygi- dium rather closely punctured ; anterior tibize with five or six teeth. L. 6-65 mm. In moss, carcases, vegetable and flood refuse, at roots of grass in marshy places, &e. ; not uncommon; Wimbledon; Harwich; Sheerness; Gravesend; Whitstable; Chat- ham; Deal; Netley; Birmingham district ; Oxford; Repton ; Cheshire ; Northumber- land district, rare ; Scotland, occasionally, Solway, Forth, and Tay districts. H. carbonarius, III. (nigellatus, Germ.). More oval, and on the average smaller than the preceding, from which it may be easily distin- guished by its rounder and less oblong shape, and by the more slightly angled frontal stria ; the thorax also is more strongly narrowed in front, and the anterior tibiz are furnished with four or five teeth; the thorax has one marginal stria only, and the marginal and first three dorsal strie of elytra are entire, the sutural reaching to about middle. L, 5-55 mm. In carcases, dung, haystack refuse, &c.; common and generally distributed from the Midlands southwards; rarer further north; Scotland, scarce, Solway district ; Ireland, near Belfast, Dublin, Waterford, &c. (H. quadrinotatus, Scriba. Oval, rather convex ; black, shining ; thorax short, strongly narrowed in front, with two lateral strie, both almost entire; elytra with a rather small humeral spot, and another oblique patch in middle of disc, red ; these are sometimes confluent ; lateral stria wanting, first two dorsal strie entire, third nearly entire, fourth and fifth and sutural striae wanting or very short and obsolete ; propygidium finely punctured, pygidium almost smooth ; anterior tibize with three rather obtuse teeth, of which the outer one is bifid. L. 6-8 mm. Very doubtful as British ; a few specimens exist in our oldest collections ; Stephens (Illust. iii. 147) records it as “ also rare; but found in distant parts of the kingdom.” Bristol and near London (Dr. Leach). (H. sinuatus, II]. (wncinatus, Ill.). Oval, not very convex; black, shining ; thorax with the outer lateral stria abbreviated ; elytra with a longitudinal lunulate spot on each, which is somewhat variable in size, reaching from the base nearly to apex, and bending inwards towards 204 CLAVICORNIA. | ister. suture ; first three dorsal strie entire, the fourth, fifth, and sutural striz very short, obsolete ; pygidium and propygidium diffusely punctured ; anterior tibiz with three stout teeth, the apical one bifid. L. 6-8 mm. In careases, &e. ; very rare, and doubtfally indigenous ; Stephens records. it from Dartford Heath, Kent, Devonshire (Kingsbridge, &.), Swansea, Worcester, and Sands- field, but these localities are probably, in part at least, erroneous, for the species has a ibaiee in Britain for many years, and very few specimens are extant in old collections. : EI. bissexstriatus, F. (caliginosus, Steph.). Oval, rather depressed, shining black ; thorax with the external marginal stria very short, often only visible at the anterior angles, internal stria entire; elytra somewhat dilated in middle, with the first four dorsal striw entire, fifth very short, sutural stria reaching to about middle; pygidium rather more closely punctured than propygidium ; anterior tarsi with four teeth, of which the apical one is sometimes bifid. L. 4-5 mm. In dung, flood refuse, &¢.; as a rule, uncommon, but occasionally it occurs in pro- fusion; Blackheath; Sheerness (J. J. Walker, in great numbers) ; Southend ; Whit- fare - Deal; Netley ; Suffolk; the only northern record that I have seen is from ancaster,. H. 12-striatus, Sch. Oval, not very convex; forehead finely punctured, frontal furrow entire ; thorax very finely punctured with one lateral stria ; elytra rather short and broad, with the dorsal striz all entire, the fifth stria joining the sutural stria at base, lateral stria absent ; all the striz of elytra are more or less distinctly crenulated ; pro- pygidium diffusely punctured, pygidium scarcely punctured ; anterior tibiee with three teeth, the apical one sometimes bifid. L. 4-43 mm. In dung, haystack and vegetable refuse, &c.; rather common and generally dis” tributed in the Midlands and the south; not so common further north ; doubtful as Scottish, the only record being ‘‘ Raehills, Rev. W. Little,’ Murray’s Cat. ; Iveland, near Belfast. . The fact of the dorsal strie being all entire will at once distinguish this species. V. 14-striatus, Gyll. This variety, which has by some . authors heen regarded as a separate species, appears only to differ from the type — by having a more or less distinct marginal stria on the elytra. I have only seen one specimen of this insect, which is in Dr. Power’s collection, and was taken from a heap of weeds in a garden at Merton, Surrey ; it is rather larger than average specimens of the type, and has the sutural and fifth dorsal striz somewhat interrupted ; it is very likely mixed with the type in collections. H. bimaculatus, L. Oval, rather depressed; antenne and legs ferruginous ; thorax short, finely punctured, foveolate at anterior angles, with a strong lateral stria; elytra shining black with a bright red patch on each towards apex, often taking up half the elytra, and forming ae eee 4 Hister.] CLAVICORNIA. 205 a common space, leaving a large black triangle about scutellum, lateral stria wanting, dorsal .strize crenulate, either all entire, or with sutural stria abbreviated ; propygilium diffusely punctured, pygidium almost smooth; anterior tibia with four teeth, of which the hindmost is often minute, L. 33-4 mm. In dung, hot-beds, haystack refuse, &c.; rather common and generally distributed froin the Midlands southwards; rarer farther. north; Scotland, rare, Lowlands, Sol- way, Clyde, and Forth districts ; Ireland, near Dublin. This species and the preceding may be known from all the others by the structure of the metasternum and prosternum. CARCINOPS, Marseul. This genus contains about thirty or forty species, of which only three are found in Europe, the remainder occurring in North, Central, and South America, Africa, &c.; they may be known by having the anterior tibiz only dilated, and by the fact that four or five of the dorsal striz are entire ; this latter character will separate our species from Gnathoncus, which they somewhat resemble in size and general appearance. I. Size smaller ; frontal stria igsighisn strice of a Noy ia! fine . . C. mint, Aubé. IJ. Size larger ; frontal stria ‘entire ; ; strie of elytra “coarse and crenulate . 0... 6. 2 2 2 © 6 © © oe ew + OC. 148reiara, Sleph, Cc. minima, Aubé (corpuscula, Mars.). Oval, round, rather convex, thickly punctured; shining black or pitch-black; antenna and legs red; frontal stria wanting ; thorax finely bordered, more strongly and thickly punctured at base ; elytra raised at suture, with four dorsal striz entire, fine, the others obsolete; elytra scarcely more feebly punctured than thorax ; anterior tibiz dilated, with three teeth. L. 1-14 mm. In haystack and flood refuse, moss, &c.; local; London district, common and generally distributed ; Margate ; Kingsgate; Bognor ; Hurstpierpoint; Hastings ; New Forest ; Hunstanton; Weymouth (at roots of grass in sandy places) ; Chesil Beach ; Salford Priors (in fungi on ash log); Repton, near Burton-on-Trent. I know of no locality further north, and it has not occurred in Scotland. C. 14-striata, Steph. (pumilio, Er.; Epierus 14-striatus, Steph.). Very much larger than the preceding, oblong-ovate, somewhat depressed ; shining pitchy-black or brownish ; antenne and legs ferruginous, club of former lighter or darker testaceous; upper surface punctured, the elytra — very finely, the thorax more coarsely especially at sides; thorax with marginal stria entire ; elytra with all the dorsal striz entire, strong, and crenulate, sutural stria entire, straight; anterior tibie strongly dilated, with two large teeth which are widely separated. L. 2-25 mm. In rubbish, carrion, &c.; rare; Battersea Fields (Stephens); Sherwool Forest (Blatch) ; Scarborough (Lawson) ; Jarrow and South Shields (Bold), 206 OLAVICORNIA, [ Paromalus. PAROMALUS, Erichson. About forty species are contained in this genus, five of which occur in Europe, the rest being found in various quarters of the world ; repre- sentatives» occur in North, Central, and South America, Africa, Java, Borneo, the Philippines, &c.; their habitat is in rotten wood under bark ; they may be distinguished by their-long oblong or parallel form, and by having the front tibie only dilated; in this latter point they resemble Carcinops, from which they may at once be known by their shape, and also by the inconspicuous scutellum and the obsolete strie of elytra. I. Form long oval, plainly narrowed in front and ‘behind ; male without transverse impressed line at baseof pygidium . . . . P. FLAyicornis, Herbst. II. Form parallel; male with impressed trans- verse line at base of pygidium . , . . . . P.PARALLELOPIPEDUS, Herbst. P. flavicornis, Herbst. Elongate-oval, narrowed in front and be- hind, rather depressed, slightly dilated in middle; shining black, or pitchy-black, finely punctured ; antenna and legs reddish or ferruginous, club of former testaceous-yellow, or bright yellow ; thorax finely mar- gined ; elytra with traces of strie# at base and near shoulders; pygidium very finely punctured; mesosternum deeply emarginate, bounded by a sinuate stria, the angles of which are blunt ; anterior tibie dilated, with three or four inconspicuous teeth. LL. 13-2 mm. Under bark, in damp decaying wood; local; London district, rather common, Hyde Park, Chatham, Cobham, Greenwich, Richmond Park, Coombe Wood, Wan- stead, Sanderstead, &c.; Ulting, Essex (where I have taken it in numbers in com- pany with Abreus globosus, &c., in an old oak stump); New Forest; Bristol ; Windsor ; Colchester ; Scarborough; it has not been recorded from the northern counties or from Scotiand. P. parallelopipedus, Herbst. Very like the preceding, but dis- tinguished by its more parallel form, and longer elytra, which have the strie at base and shoulders less marked ; in both this and the preceding species the female has the pygidium furnished with two short con- verging strie, but in this species the pygidium of the male is impressed with a transverse line at base, which is wanting in P. flavicornis ; the antennal club as a rule-is darker, and the mesosternum is bounded be- hind by a stria consisting of three arcs, which form sharp angles at their point of junction. L. 13-24 mm. Very rare; I have only seen three or four specimens, and the only locality that I know of is ** New Forest (Turner) ” for Dr. Power’s specimen; Mr. Crotch first in- troduced the species as British; the insect appears to be very imperfectly known, and may be mixed with P. flavicornis in some collections. HETZERIUS, Erichson. This genus contains a few species from Europe and North Africa, and Heterius. | CLAVICORNIA. 207 one from North America; they have a peculiar facies, somewhat like that of a large Acarus, and are found in company with ants. H. ferrugineus, Ol. (sesquicornis, Preys. ; quadratus, Kug.; Mar- seuli, Schauf.). Suborbicular, smooth and shining, of a lighter or darker reddish or reddish-testaceous colour; forehead concave ; antenne with solid, obconical, truncate club ; thorax short, widened behind, with the sides depressed and furnished with two stri#, and with a deep depres- sion near posterior angles; elytra with projecting shoulders, with the four first dorsal striz entire, and with four or five rows of long yellow hairs, which are scarcely visible, if viewed from above; legs very large, strongly and angularly dilated in middle, minutely denticulate on their outer side. L. 2-3 mm. In the nests of Formica fusca, sanguinea, and flava; very rare; Highgate (Jan- son); Weybridge (Power); Croydon (Douglas and Scott). DENDROPHILUS, Leach. The species belonging to this genus are distinguished from Hisfer by the formation of the cavities for the reception of the antenne, and from Carcinops and Paromalus by having all the tibiz strongly dilated ; the prosternum is broad and rounded behind, and is received into a deep emargination of the mesosternum ; the genus only contains about half- a-dozen species from Europe and North America ; they occur under bark, in rotten wood, and in ants’ nests, and occasionally in dead animals. I. Upper surface distinctly punctured, shiny . . . . . «. D. punctatus, F. II. Upper surface without distinct punctures, dull. . . . . D. pyemaus, LZ. D. punctatus, Ill. Oval, suborbicular, convex, black, shining, with tne whole upper surface distinctly punctured ; antenne and legs ferru- ginous; thorax very short, narrowly margined ; elytra broader than thorax, with the two first dorsal striz entire and very marked, the third and fourth abbreviated behind, the sutural stria absent or scarcely in- dicated ; anterior tibiz finely denticulate. L. 23-3 mm. In dead animals, rotten wood, &c., and also in the nests of Formica fuliginosa; not common; Greenwich, Coombe Wood, Mickleham, Richmond Park, Cobham, Hammersmith, Addington, West Wickham; Waltham Cross; Norwich; Northum- berland district, Hetton Hall, near Belford (Bold) ; Scotland, doubtfully indigenous, the only record being “Under bark of trees at Cramond,” Murray’s Cat. I feel somewhat doubtful regarding Mr, Bold’s record. D. pygmeus, L. ( formicetorum, Aubé). Easily distinguished from the preceding by its dull appearance and the absence of any distinct punctuation ; under a high magnifying power the upper surface appears to be exceedingly finely punctured ; the colour is more pitchy, and the antenne and legs are of a brighter red colour ; elytra with very fine but — distinct dorsal stria which are bounded by a slightly clevated line, only 208 CLAVICORNIA, [ Dendrophilus. visible if viewed sideways; anterior tibiew finely and irregularly denti- culate. L. 2-3 mm. In the nests of Formica rufa; local; Esher, Forest Hill, Plumstead, Hampstead, Coombe Wood, Hainault Forest ; Norfolk ; Suffolk ; Bristol; Bewdley Forest ; Buddon Wood, Leicester; Hopwas Wood, Tamworth; Scotland, very local, Tay and Dee districts, _MYRMETES, Marseul. This genus contains one European species, which for a long time was associated with Saprinus ; it is, however, quite distinct from that genus by reason of its narrow tibiz, of which the anterior pair are very finely and indistinetly spinulose, and by the comparatively dull and impune- tate upper surface, and also by the fact that the anterior tibiz are not provided with grooves for the reception of the tarsi. M™M. piceus, Payk. Round, convex, pitchy-brown or ferruginous, smooth, comparatively dull ; forehead without stria ; thorax short, some- times lighter at sides; elytra with fine striz, abbreviated behind, the subhumeral stria alone being almost entire ; tibie not dilated. L. 2-23 mm. ; In nests of Formica rufa; local; Plumstead; Esher; Parkhurst Forest, Isle of Wight; Norwich ; Bristol ; Buddon Wood ; Bewdley Forest ; Tamworth ; York; Scar- borough ; Scotland, very local, Dee district. GNATHONCUS, Duval. This genus contains about a dozen species from Egypt, North America, Tasmania, &c. ; three of these are found in Europe, of which two occur in Britain ; there is, however, considerable confusion as to our species ; Mr. G. Lewis, who has lately done so much good work on the Histeride, and to whom I am indebted for other information regarding the group, writes to me that he has never seen a British example of G. votundatus ; all our specimens must therefore be referred to G. nanne- tensis ; the second species, G. punctulatus, is by some-authors considered merely a variety, but it appears to be distinct ; the genus is very closely allied to Saprinus, under which, indeed, it has been included by many writers ; it differs in having the frontal stria wanting, and in the fact that there is a considerable interval between the last two teeth of the anterior tibie; the sutural stria is distinct in front and abbreviated — behind, and the epipleurz are furnished with three strie instead of two as in Saprinus, I. Size larger; form more strongly convex and rounded ; dorsal stria of elytra reaching beyond middle, the first almost reaching apex ; upper surface more strongly and : thickly punctured. . . . . «. »- « « « « « « G,NANNETENSIS, Mars, Il. Size smaller; form less convex and.rounded, with s more parallel sides; dorsal strie of elytra ceasing at middle, with the exception of the first which almost reaches apex; upper surface more finely and diffusely punctared . 2. 6s 2+ 2 © © © » » ms » G. PUNCTULATUS, Thoms, Gnathoncus.} CLAVICORNIA. 209 G. nannetensis, Mars. (rotundatus, Brit. Cat., nee Kug.). Black, or pitchy-black, shining ; frontal stria wanting ; thorax entirely covered with diffuse punctures, which are stronger and closer at sides; elytra moderately strongly and thickly punctured except towards base, with an abbreviated marginal stria, and four dorsal striz: which reach beyond middle, the first almost reaching apex in many examples ; sutural stria distinct at base; anterior tibie not much dilated, with 6-8 teeth. L. 3-33 mm. | In moss, birds’ nests, haystack, flood, and vegetable refuse, dead birds, &ec. ; local ; Lee; Sheerness; Deal; Norfolk; Margate; Hastings; New Forest; Glanvilles Weotton (in stock dove nests inside hollow apple trees in old orchard) ; Swansea ; Cannock Chase; Cleethorpes, Lincolnshire; Manchester ; Northumberland district, rare; Scotland, rare, Forth and Clyde districts; Ireland, Portmarnock, The true G. rotundatus, Kug., appears to differ from this species in its subparallel and depressed form, and some writers consider that G. nannetensis may be only a variety ; the question, however, does not appear at present to be settled. G. punctulatus, Thoms. Closely allied to the preceding, but dis- tinctly smaller, and less strongly convex and rounded ; the antenne, legs, and hinder part of the elytra are of a lighter colour ; the first dorsal stria of the elytra almost reaches apex, and the next three cease at middle ; the sutural stria is almost or entirely wanting ; the punctuation of the upper surface is more fine and diffuse, and the mesosternum (which in the preceding species is strongly and rather thickly punctured) is very finely and diffusely punctured. L. 1$-25 mm. Found under the same circumstances as the preceding; rare; near London (Janson); Knowle, near Birmingham (Blatch); Lytham, Lancashire (Chappell); these latter specimens were considered by Mr. Rye to be varieties of G. rotundatus ; I est a specimen some time ago from Mr. J. J. Walker ‘from Cleethorpes, Lin- colnshire. This species and the preceding appear to vary considerably in size and striation, the character of the presence or absence of the sutural stria being very doubtfully trustworthy ; perhaps all the three European species will ultimately be referred to one only. In the Entomologists’ Monthly Magazine, vol. xxiii., p. 16, Mr. Gor- ham says that Gnathonci inhabit pigeons’ and other birds’ nests, and places such as towers where owls breed, and that it would be worth while, if any one has the opportunity of visiting such places, to bear in mind the probability of our having more than one species of Histerida co-existing with the birds. y SAPRINUWS, Erichson. This genus contains about three hundred and sixty or seventy species, and like Hister is very widely distributed both in the tropics and in VOL. Ul P 210 CLAVIOCORNIA. [Saprinus, temperate regions; there are about eighty European species, of which eight only are found in Britain ; they closely resemble Hister in general appearance, and are chiefly distinguished by the fact that the prosternum is not lobed in front; in our species of Hister the elytra are impunctate or almost impunctate behind, whereas all our species of Saprinus are more or less distinctly punctured from about middle to apex, and in many cases at the sides also ; the Saprind are found in dung or carcases, and like Hister retract their legs and remain motionless at the approach of danger. I. Forehead without a raised ridge, separated only by 4 a deep stria from the clypeus; prosternum rather broad and flat. i. Dise of thorax impunctate ; colour black, 1. Size larger ; elytra only punctured towards apex and at margins, punctuation rather diffuse . . §S, NrTmpuLUS, Payk. 2. Size smaller ; elytra closely and rugosely punc- tured with a smooth space towards base tra- versed by fourth dorsal stria. A. Smooth part of elytra outside dorsal stria extending as far longitudinally as smooth part inside stria ; punctuation of elytra close and rugose; sutural stria, asarule, entire . S, ZNEUS, F. B. Smooth part of elytra outside stria small ; punctuation of elytra very close and rugose ; . sutural stria of elytra, as a rule (but by no means always), interrupted. . . . . . « S.ImmUNDUS, Gy/ll. | ii. Disc of thorax punctured; colour metallic green . §S. virescens, Payk, II. Thorax separated from clypeus by a slightly raised ridge. a3 Blstra dull, closely and rugosely punctured, with a common smooth round space towards base not traversed by fourth dorsal stria. . . . . . . ii, Elytra punctured towards apex, with no definite smooth space towards base. 1. Thorax plainly punctured at sides. A. Anterior tibie strongly dilated, with four rather large blunt teeth (a trace of a fifth being sometimes visible) ; elytra rather finely punctured, the punctuation reaching scarcely to. middle. i ci". es ete uetng ten le Se RTA LO US, SLOT ORs. B. Anterior tibie slightly dilated, with six rather sharp and distinct teeth ; elytra rather strongly punctured, the punctuation reaching . beyond middle .. i... 5 uerh -S5- S. RUGIFRONS, Payk. 2. Thorax impunctate at sides; anterior tibize ; with three large and three small tecth . . . S.MaAnitimus, Steph. S. QUADRISTRIATUS, Hoff. S. nitidulus, Payk. Black, shining; the largest of our species of Saprinus, resembling in size and general appearance Hister carbonarius ; head rather thickly punctured; thorax strongly punctured at sides, disc almost smooth, base with two or three rows of large punctures in- terrupted above scutellum, anterior margin with two impressions behind eyes; elytra punctured at extreme margins and towards apex, punctua- Saprinus.] CLAVICORNIA. 211 tion somewhat diffuse ; strie punctured; sutural stria often more or less obsolete and as a rule not joining fourth dorsal stria; pygidium thickly punctured ; antenne and legs black, tarsi somewhat reddish, anterior tibie with 8-9 teeth. L. 4-53 mm. In carcases, dung, &c.; generally distributed and common throughout England and Wales, and probably Ireland; it appears, however, to be loeal in Scotland, Lowlands, Solway and Forth districts. S. ewneus, F. Black, shining, slightly eneous; forehead rather thickly punctured; thorax thickly punctured at sides, and with two or three uninterrupted rows of larger punctures at base, disc smooth ; elytra closely punctured with the sides and shoulders and a common space ‘towards base smooth ; this space is traversed by the fourth dorsal stria, and the part outside the stria reaches as far longitudinally as the part between this and the sutural stria; strie punctured ; sutural stria, as a rule, joining fourth dorsal stria ; pygidium thickly punctured ; antennz and legs black, anterior tibia with 8-10 small teeth. L. 3-4 mm. In carcases, dung, &c.; as a rule considered common and generally distributed throughout the greater part of England; it is, however, local in Scotland, in the Solway, Forth, and Moray districts, and is not common in some localities in Eng- land; at Hunstanton, Norfolk, for instance, where I have found other members of the genus in numbers, J have never taken a specimen of &, eneus. Ireland, near Belfast and Dublin. S. immundus, Gyll. This species bears a considerable resemblance to the preceding, but may easily be distinguished by its darker and less metallic colour, and by the much closer punctuation of the elytra, which covers the whole of their upper surface except the shoulders and a space towards base, which is traversed by the fourth dorsal stria; the space, however, outside the stria is small, and abbreviated in front and behind by punctuation ; the sutural stria, is said by some authors to be separated, from the fourth dorsal stria, and this is given sometimes as a character, but in this respect the species is very variable, and I have specimens in which the sutural stria on one elytron joins the dorsal stria, and on the other is separated from it; legs pitchy, anterior tibie with 7-8 teeth, which are somewhat larger than in S. eneus. L. 3-4 mm. In dung ; local and usually considered rare ; Deal; Camber sand-hills, near Hastings, somewhat common; Wales; Southport ; Lancaster sands; Hunstanton, Norfolk, in numbers; in this latter locality I have found it by far the commonest of the genus ; the species appears to occur mainly on sand-hills near the coast. S. virescens, Payk. Shining, metallic green ; antenne black ; forehead, thickly punctured; thorax distinctly punctured through- out, a point that will at once separate it from all our other species, punctuation more close at sides; elytra rather strongly punctured over their whole surface except round scutellum, and at shoulders ; dorsal stris extending a little beyond middle ; pygidium thickly punctured ; Pp 2 . 212 CLAVICORNIA. [Saprinus. legs black or pitchy-black, with tarsi more or less reddish, anterior tibie with 6-7 rather blunt teeth. L. 3-4 mm. In dung; occasionally in flowers and on watercress, on which latter plant it has been found devouring the larvae of Phedon cochlearia, to which beetle it bears a super- ficial resemblance; rare; Caterbam, Forest Hill; Darenth; Maidstone; Deal; Folkestone ; Sandwich; Sandown, Isle of Wight; Buckden, Hunts ; Stephens gives as localities Copenhagen Fields, Battersea, Coombe Wood, Welbeck, sea shore near Marsden, Norwich, Newmarket Heath (dead hares), and Swansea, S. quadristriatus, Hoff. Oblong, black, sometimes with a dark blue or greenish reflection; thorax closely punctured, posterior. portion of dise smooth ; elytra very closely punctured, dull, with the shoulders and a common round space towards base smooth and shining ; this space is bounded by the fourth dorsal stria which is fine, and there is no trace of any smooth space outside the stria as in §. emmundus ; the other dorsal striz are obsolete; anterior tibiee with 6—7 teeth, of which the anterior three or four are the strongest. L. 3-3$ mm. In dung, carcases, &c.; rare; Barmouth ; Liverpool distriet (common on the sand- hills) ; Wallasey; Southport; Blackpool; Lancaster sands; Scotland, rare, Forth district (Paisley). S. metallicus, Herbst. The smallest of our species; short oval, rather convex ; of a dark obscure green metallic colour, rarely brown ; thorax rugosely punctured, with the posterior part of the disc smooth ; elytra with well-marked crenulate strive, rather finely punctured, the punctuation scarcely reaching to middle; first dorsal stria of elytra almost reaching apex; legs brown or reddish, anterior tibie strongly dilated, with four large blunt teeth, sometimes with a trace of a fifth. L. 23-37 mm. ' In dung, careases, &c.; confined to sandy places near the coast; rare; Deal ; Camber sand-hills, Hastings, not uncommon; Hunstanton, Norfolk. S. rugifrons, Payk. (metallicus, Steph.). Larger than the preced- ing, ofa rather light greenish metallic colour or black ; antennew and legs pitchy-black or brownish; -thorax strongly punctured with posterior part of disc smooth; elytra rather strongly punctured, the punctuation reaching beyond middle, anterior tibie moderately dilated, with six rather sharp teeth which become gradually stronger to apex and are usually of a lighter colour than the tibie; in this and in other species examples occasionally occur in which the teeth are worn almost flat or partially coalesce, and thus cause confusion; fifth dorsal stria of elytra abbreviated. LL, 3-4 mm. In dung, carcases, &c.; both inland and on the coast; local; Southend; Dovers- court; Harwich; Yarmouth; Deal; Lowestoft; Bristol; Swansea; Barmouth; Hunstanton ; New Forest ; Sherwood Forest; South Shields, S. maritimus, Steph. (sabulosus, Fairm.). Larger than the preceding, black, occasionally brownish; forehead smooth; thorax a > ee wa Suprinus.] OLAVICORNIA, 213 almost impunctate except for an interrupted row of punctures close to base ; elytra with very strong punctured strie, strongly punctured from apex to beyond middle, sides impunctate ; pygidium moderately strongly punctured ; anterior tibiw dilated, with three large and two or three smaller teeth. L, 34-4} mm. In dung, &c.; widely distributed on the English coast from the Northumberland and Durham district on the East, to Liverpool and Manchester on the West; Stockton-on-Tees ; Spurn Point; Hunstanton, Norfolk; Yarmouth ; Harwich ; Southend; Margate; Hastings; Southsea ; Hayling Island ; Weymouth ; Port'and ; Plymouth; Penzance; Barmouth; Isle of Man; Liverpool district; it is, how- ever, somewhat local, and is very rare in Scotland, where it has occurred in the Forth district only. In a note in the Entomologists’ Monthly Magazine, vol. xxiii., p. 16, there is areference made to a specimen of S. precox, which was supposed to have been taken in Oxfordshire by the Rev. A. Matthews, but which requires corroboration as the species appears to inhabit Egypt ; the specimen is superficially very like Gnathoncus punctulatus, the most evident distinction being a generic one, viz. that in Gnathoncus the prosternum in front has its marginal strie suddenly converging, thus being lanceolate, while in Saprinus the same lines gradually meet, so that the ridge of the prosternum is pointed. TERETRIVS, Erichson. This genus contains about twenty species, which are very widely distributed, representatives occurring in Egypt, South Africa, Madagascar, Peru, Guatemala, North America, &c.; four species are found in Europe, one of which occurs in Britain ; they are remarkable for their cylindri- cal form, and have the elytra wholly punctured with very short oblique strie at sides which are sometimes obsolete ; they are found in wovd, and they appear to be parasitic on certain wood-boring beetles, in the same way that Colydiwm elongatum is parasitic on Platypus cylindrus ; our single species is very rare. T. picipes, F. Pitch-black, or dark pitchy-brown, cylindrical, truncate, entirely covered with distinct, moderately close punctuation ; head rather large, forehead convex, without stria or impression ; an- tenn ferruginous, or reddish-testaceous, inserted on the border of the forehead between the eyes ; thorax rather long, with an entire marginal stria ; elytra raised at suture, truncate at apex, with a slight impression on each at base, without apparent strie ; pygidium semicircular, much ‘ reflexed; prosternum emarginate behind, receiving the mesosternum, which is pointed ; anterior tibiz much dilated at apex, denticulate. L, 13-25 mm. Under bark; sometimes found on the wing or on walls; very rare; Forest Hill ; Camberwell, Peckham, Shirley ; Stephens gives Norwich, Swansea, and Bristol as localities; Mr. S. Stevens took a considerable number in 1878-9 from railings at Upper Norwood, in company with Tillus unifaseiatus and Lyctus brunneus. 214 : OLAVICORNIA. [ Plegaderus. PLEGADERWUWS, Erichson. This genus contains nine or ten European species, and a few from North and Central America, &c.; one only is found in Britain; they inhabit rotten wood, and are sometimes found in old trees in company with ants; our single species, and the majority of the others, may easily be known by the deep transverse furrow which appears to divide the thorax into two parts. P. dissectus, Er. Oval, rather depressed, pitch-black, shining, irregularly and diffusely punctured, the punctuation being plainly finer on the thorax than on the elytra ; head small, antenne and legs reddish ; thorax rather long, divided into two equal, separately convex portions hy a deep transverse furrow, lateral striz very strong ; elytra dilated at shoulders, with two well-marked oblique striew, suture raised ; anterior tibiae much dilated and spinulose at apex. L. 1-1} mm. In old decaying trees and logs ; very rare; Hampstead (Waterhouse) ; New Forest (Blatch) ; Salford Priors (Blatch) ; Sherwood Forest (Matthews, Blatch, and others) ABRZZUS, Leach. About sixteen or twenty species are comprised in this genus, eight of which are found in Europe, while the remainder are widely dis- tributed, representatives occurring in South Africa, India, Ceylon, &c. ; they are distinguished from Acritus, which they much resemble in general appearance, by having all the tarsi 5-jointed ; they are also, as a rule, of larger size ; they are found in rotten wood, or in fungi on old trees and stumps. I. Anterior tibie angularly dilated in middle, truncate oblique- ly at apex, and with a small tooth before apex. . . . . II. Anterior tibiw dilated and rounded, without tooth before APEX. ee UO he ws ing bee Se nde leaks Tens Woe MATER AE eee A. eLososus, Hoff. A. globosus, Hoff. Suborbicular, globose, of a ferruginous brown colour, shining, antenne and legs pitchy-red, club of former testaceous ; head and thorax rather finely and closely punctured, elytra somewhat strongly and sparingly punctured, the latter with a rather distinct oblique dorsal stria ; anterior tibiw strongly dilated and angled in mid- dle, with a small tooth before apex ; mesosternum obliquely truncate on both sides in front, produced in middle. L. 13-1} mm. In rotten wood of beech, ash, &c.; local but not-uncommon; Chatham, Woking, * Abbey Wood, Cobbam Park, West Wickham, Mickleham (in nests of Formica fuli- ginosa), &c.; Ulting, Essex; Windsor ; Salford Priors; Sherwood Forest ; Repton ; Scarborough; Manchester; not recorded from the extreme northern counties of England ; Scotland, very rare, Forth and Dee districts, A. granulum, Er. Very like the preceding, but distinguished by the closer and stronger punctuation, and by the fact that the anterior . rm ee Abreus. | CLAVICORNIA, 215 tibie are simply rounded and not angled, and have no small tooth before apex ; the prosternum and mesosternum are both thickly and strongly punctured ; the size also is distinctly smaller. L.1 mm.j In rotten wood, &c.; very rare; Walthamstow, Essex (Janson); Cambridge (Crotch); Salford Priors, in rotten ash tree (Blatch). ACRITUWS, Leconte. This genus contains upwards of forty or fifty species, of which about a dozen occur in Europe; the remainder are found in North and South America, and two or three have been recorded from Asia Minor, Cuba, &c. ; one or two species have been separated off under the genus Aeletes, Horn, as having no visible scutellum, this part being distinct in the genus Acritus proper; the members of the genus have the posterior tarsi 4-jointed ; our three British species may be distinguished as fol- lows :— I. Form rather long, subquadrangular; upper surface diffusely punctured’. . 2. 2. se 1 6 6 © ew he hed 6UA PUNCTUM, Aube. II. Form oval or suborbicular ; punctuation rather close. i. Thorax without a distinct transverse impressed line before scutellum ; prosternum shorter, truncate behind ; anterior tibize scarcely visibly dilated at apex . . . ii. Thorax with a distinct transverse impressed line before scutellum ; prosternum more elongate, slightly emar- ginate behind ; anterior tibie slightly dilated at apex . A. NIGRICORNIS, Hoff. A. minutus, Herbst. A, punctum, Aubé. Rather elongate, subquadrangular, of a dark brown or brownish-red colour, upper surface rather finely and diffusely punctured ; antennee and legs lighter or darker red ; thorax rather large, with sides almost parallel, without impressed line before base; elytra subparallel with the suture somewhat raised, and a rather well-marked oblique dorsal stria; anterior tibie finely denticulate and somewhat dilated towards apex ; prosternum emarginate, double as broad in front as behind, mesosternum rounded in front. L. 3-1} mm, In vegetable refuse, &c., chiefly on the coast; very local ; first taken on the Chesil Bank by Mr. Crotch and Dr. Sharp more than twenty years ago, and lately found in numbers by Mr. J. J. Walker in the same locality by digging small holes as traps just above high-water mark on warm sunny afternoons ; it has also been taken by Mr. Crotch at Weston-super-Mare, and by Mr. Walker at Hayling Island. A. minutus, Herbst. Oval, suborbicular, not very convex, shining pitch-brown, antenne brown with the club ferruginous or reddish ; forehead smooth, thorax thickly and very finely punctured, con- siderably narrowed in front, with a transverse line of punctures at base, but without a distinct impressed line before scutellum ; elytra finely and closely punctured at base, more sparingly behind, almost smooth at apex, with traces of rudimentary strie# at base; prosternum shorter, truncate behind ; anterior tibiz scarcely visibly dilated. L. 2-1 mm. 216 CLAVICORNIA, .° .- Vaortiua In manure-heaps, vegetable refuse, &c.; common and generally distributed from Yorkshire southwards; rarer further north; somewhat donbtful as Scottish ; the Abreus nigricornis of Murray’s catalogue, recorded from Raehills, is probably this species. A. nigricornis, Hoff. Smaller than the preceding species, from which it may be known by its finer punctuation, and the more distinctly impressed line before scutellum, but more especially by the subquadrate or pentagonal form of the mesosternum, which has the marginal stria divid- ing at each anterior angle, and by the more elongate prosternum, which is slightly emarginate behind ; the anterior tibiz also are slightly dilated at apex ; the club of the antenne is variable in colour, and often scarcely differs from that of the preceding species, so that the character often assigned to this species of having dark antenne, from which, in fact, it takes its name, is quite an untrustworthy one; both species also often present traces of fine strie on elytra, which some authors affirm to be onl present in A. nigricornis. L. 3 mm. In manure-heaps, &c.; Crystal Palace on the windows (Waterhouse); Spridling- ton, Lincolnshire (Wollaston); Repton, in fungi, very scarce (Garneys) ; the species appear to be generally confused and mixed in our collections, and it must be admitted that the various published descriptions are in many cases unsatisfactory and even contradictory. ONTHOPHILUS, Leach. The total number of species that have been described in this genus is ninteen ; four of these are found in Europe, and the remainder are recorded from North America, India, Zanzibar, South Africa, &e. ; they are very remarkable for their peculiar sulcate sculpture and dull appear- ance; the only other known member of the Histeride that presents the same sculpture and appearance is Hister costatus from Mexico, which has been already alluded to. Mr. George Lewis says with regard to this genus, ‘* The genus Onthophilus is a very interesting one, as the chitin of the exoskeleton is exceedingly opaque, and evidently less pure than in the other genera of the Histeridew ; and although some of the species, such as sulcatus, are beautifully engraved above, the substructure is, as it were, roughly hewn, and the meso- and metasternal plates, as well as the abdominal segments, are coarsely wrought at the sutures” (Annals and Mag. of Nat. Hist., Sept. 1885): the upper surface is raised in strong keels, and the legs are long and slender; the lobe of the prosternum is present, but is very short, so that the genus can hardly be classed with cither the Hister or the Saprinus group. Our two British species may be separated as follows :— I. Thorax with five raised keels, the central one double and interrupted, the spaces between them being coarsely punctured; sizelarger. « . . « « «© « » « « « QO, GLOBULOSUS, Ol, (sulcatus, F.) II. Thorax with six raised keels, the spaces between them being longitudinally rugose; sizesmaller. . . . . « O.stTRiatus, F. ee eee Onthophilus. | CLAVICORNIA. . 217 O. globulosus, Ol. (sulcatus, F.). Oval, suborbicular, black, slightly shining ; head small, antennee comparatively long and slender, reddish- brown, forehead concave ; thorax with a central keel, which is double and interrupted, and two others on each side, abbreviated in front, the interval between them being filled with large coarse punctures ; elytra very convex, narrowed at apex, with suture raised, and three strong keels on each, the intervals between these being each filled with five slightly raised lines, of which the central is the most distinct ; legs pitchy- brown, rather long and slender ; pygidium plainly punctured. L. 38-324 mm. In dung, decaying vegetable refuse, &c.; apparently very rare; I have not heard of its having been taken in Britain for many years; Stephens records it from Coombe Wood (Surrey), Nottinghamshire, Norfolk, and Kingsbridge (Devon). _ ©. striatus, F. Much smaller than the preceding, and easily dis- tinguished by having six distinct raised keels on thorax, the intervals between which are longitudinally wrinkled ; the space between the outer- most keel and the margin is rugosely punctured; each of the elytra is furnished with three strong raised keels, and three rather smaller ones, so that there appear to be six on each, and the spaces between are filled with small raised lines, and are remotely and coarsely punctured in single rows ; pygidium and propygidium with raised lines, closely punctured. L. 13-2} mm. In dung, haystack, and vegetable refuse, birds’ nests, &c.; common and generally distributed in England and Scotland ; Ireland, near Dublin, Waterford, Belfast, &., and probably common. MICROPEPLIDZ. The position of this family has been much disputed ; it has usually been placed at the end of the Staphylinide, but seems to present but little affinity to that family ; Thomson places it between the Byturidz and the Dermestide, which hardly seems a good position; as a matter of fact the true affinities of the family are by no means known, but the position here assigned to it between Onthophilus on the one hand, and the Nitidulide on the other (to certain members of which latter family the species bear a considerable resemblance), seems as good a one as can be assigned to it in the present state of our knowledge ; the family in- cludes two genera, Micropeplus and Kalissus, the former of which has the thorax, elytra, and abdomen strongly costate, whereas the latter is smooth and not costate ; in both genera the antenne are apparently 9- jointed and the tarsi 3-jointed, and the anterior coxe are transverse and not prominent ; the second ventral segment is dilated in the middle and separates the hind cox. MICROPEPLUS; Latreille. This genus contains rather more than twenty species, which are found 218 CLAVICORNIA. [Micropeplus. in Europe, Northern Asia, Japan, and North America, and one has recently been described from Guatemala; they may at once be distinguished by their short elytra and by the peculiar ribbed appearance of the whole upper surface of the body, and also by their short antennz which termi- nate in what appears to be a single-jointed club; it is, however, obsoletely 3-jointed, and therefore the antennze must be regarded as 11-jointed, and not, as they are by Kraatz and other authors, as 9-jointed ; the tarsi are 3-jointed ; our species are found in haystack and vegetable refuse, by sweeping, &c., and occasionally in mud in marshy places ; Thomson says that they live ‘almost exclusively in mud by the 8 of lakes and streams, and that he has never taken them in refuse. In the male the seventh ventral segment of hind body is emarginate at apex. i; tg of elytra strongly and coarsely punc- tured, i. Elytra with five longitudinal lines on each strongly raised (the outer ones somewhat ir- regular), suture less strongly raised . . - M. porcatus, Payk. ii, Elytra with suture and four lines on each strongly raised. 1. Vertex of head with one raised longitudinal line . M. stapHytinoipes, Marsh, 2. Vertex of head with three raised ‘longitudinal lines, converging in front . . . M. Margarit, Dur, II. Interstices of elytra smooth ; elytra _ ‘with ‘suture and three longitudinal lines on each strongly ol Pre i ae ene - . + « M. TESSERULA, Curt. M™. porcatus, Payk. Black, aul head small, strongly rugose, with a raised line on vertex ; antennz dark with base reddish, sometimes with club only dark ; thorax transverse, with sides angulated, deeply im- pressed, extremely finely rugose or shagreened, posterior angles! sharp ; elytra much longer than thorax with five raised lines on each (besides suture), the outer ones irregular, interstices strongly punctured ; first four visible segments of abdomen divided into deep squares by longitudinal ribs ; legs lighter or darker red with femora pitchy. L. 2 mm. In haystack and vegetable refuse ; local; London district not uncommon, Seven- oaks, Farnham, Mickleham, Birch Wood, Forest Hill, Reigate, Claygate, &e. ; Hast- ings; Glanvilles Wootton; Dev onshire ; Swansea ; Repton ; Nottinghamshire ; 3 Liverpool; Chat Moss; York; Carlisle; Northumberland district ; Scotland, Low- lands, not common, Solway and Forth districts; Ireland, Portmarnock, M. staphylinoides, Marsh (oltusus, Newm.). About the length of M. porcatus, but rather narrower, pitchy-brown, often reddish, with the head and middle of thorax and hind body darker; the antenne and legs are clear testaceous ; the vertex of head is furnished with one longi- tudinal raised line ; the elytra have four lines on each besides the suture strongly raised ; the first three visible segments of the abdomen are divided into squares by longitudinal ribs, but the central rib is extended at least to the middle of the fourth ; in the male the front of the head is toothed. L. 2 mm. . Micropeplus. | CLAVICORNIA. 219 In haystack refuse, moss, fungi, &c.; occasionally by evening sweeping; not un- common and widely distributed throughout the kingdom. M. margarite, Duv. (fulvus, Er., var.). Black, brownish-black, or reddish ; very closely allied to the preceding, with which it was for many years mixed in collections, until Mr. Gorham in 1861 pointed out the differences; its elytra are longer, and it is less parallel-sided ; the vertex of the head is furnished with three raised lines which converge in front, and the apical margin of the forehead is very sharply toothed in male; the central raised ridge of the abdomen is only continued on the fourth visible segment as an inconspicuous tubercle. L. 2 mm. Found under the same circumstances as the preceding, and apparently commoner in England; Scotland, rare, Forth district; not recorded from Ireland, but it is probably common in that country. IM. tesserula, Curt. Very much smaller than the other species, and easily distinguished by the smooth and impunctate interstices of the elytra, which are very finely shagreened ; the antenne are dark with the base red, and the legs are red ; the elytra have only three raised lines on each besides the suture ; only the first three visible segments of the ab- domen are divided by ribs, and the fourth is slightly raised in the centre ; the ribs, however, are not nearly so strongly marked as in the other species. L. 1j-1} mm. In marshy places, on mud, also by sweeping; rare; Fen districts of Cambridge- shire, &c.; Sherwood Forest (I once took a specimen by evening sweeping ina broad ride far from any water as far as I could see); Grange, Lancashire; Scotland, Low- lands, very rare, Clyde district (Paisley, Morris Young). NITIDULIDZ. This family contains about a hundred genera, some of which comprise a large number of species; they are widely distributed throughout the world both in temperate and tropical countries; the position and extent of the family is difficult to determine ; the genera and species vary very much in structure and habitat, and probably several sub-families will eventually be divided off as separate ; there is no doubt that the Niti- dulidee have a connection with the Silphide; on the other hand, how- ever, through Jps and Rhizophagus, they closely approach the Trogositide; in fact Erichson classed the latter family with the Nitidulide, but they are separated offasa distinct family by the different plan of structure of the maxille and tarsi. As a whole, perhaps, the Nitidulidee come in best between the Histeride, to which in many ways they bear a close relation, and the Trogositide ; and if the aberrant genus Micropeplus is to be removed from the Staphylinidw, as seems necessary, to the neighbourhood of the Nitidulide, it cannot be better placed than immediately after the Histeride, as a connecting link between Onthophilus and the brachypterous genera of the Nitidulide. The chief characters 220 CLAVICORNIA. [ Nitidulide. of the family and many details regarding different genera will be found discussed at length in the papers by myself on “The Nitidulide of Great Britain ’’ published in the Entomologists’ Monthly Magazine, vols. xxi. and xxii.; many of the characters are very variable in the different genera; the antenne, however, invariably terminate in a club which is usually 3-jointed, but sometimes apparently solid, the eleventh joint being wholly or partially enclosed in the tenth (as in Rhizophagus); as a rule the club is strong, round, and compact, but in some genera is rather loose, or occasionally (as in Cercus) somewhat elongate and feebly capitate ; the anterior coxe are transverse and cylindrical ; the abdomen has five free ventral segments except in a few genera in which a sixth small dorsal segment is present in the males; the legs as a rule are short and stout, and sometimes strongly retractile ; the tarsi are 5-jointed in both sexes, except in two or three exotic tribes, and in the Rhizo- phagina, in which they are heteromerous in the male; the fourth joint is very small, and the first three are usually broad, and clothed on the under-side with fine silky hairs. The family may be divided into the following six tribes:— I. Antenne 11-jointed, terminated by a 3-jointed club; tarsi with an equal number of joints, similar in both sexes, in the British families always pentamerous. i. Labrum free, more or less visible. 1. Maxille with two lobes; antenne with an elongate and feebly capitate club, abdomen with two segments “ exposed =. 5 8 oe + se es & te ee ee a a er 2. Maxille with one lobe; antennz with a strong, round, compact club A. oa fitting closely to elytra and not covering their ase. a. Abdomen with two segments exposed’. . . . . . CARPOPHILINA, b. Abdomen covered, or only apex of pygidium ex- ened: ke we aw tars ee ee B. Thorax covering the base of elytra. . « « . . + CYCHRAMINA. ii. Labrum connate with the front, suture more or less distinct. Iprva. II. Antennz apparently 10-jointed, with the club solid, the eleventh joint being merged in the tenth ; tarsi dissimilar in the sexes, heteromerous in the males, 5-jointed in the females. RHIZOPHAGINA. | BRACHYPTERINA. The members of this tribe may be distinguished by their elongate club, bilobed maxille, and very short and feeble antennal grooves, which are not visible below the eyes, as well as by the feebly capitate club of the antenne ; it contains a few genera, some of which are further subdivided by different authors; our two British genera may be dis- tinguished as follows :— I. Claws plainly toothed at base; male with a distinct extra anal segment . . « +...» + « « «+ + « « » BRAOHYPTERUS, Kug. II. Claws not, or hardly, visibly toothed ; male with an in- distinct extra anal segment . . . . . « « . « CxERcus, Latr. aes 3 oe Brachypterus. | OLAVICORNIA, 221 BRACHYPTERUS, Kugelann. This genus, taken in its widest sense as including Heferostomus, Duv., Brachyleptus,-Mots., and Brachypterus, i. sp., contains about thirty or forty species, which are widely distributed throughout the world, repre- sentatives occurring in the Atlantic Islands, South Africa, North and Central America, Australia, &c.; seventeen species occur in Europe, of which three are found in Britain; externally they much resemble Meligethes, from which they may at once be known by having the last segments of the abdomen exposed and not covered by the elytra. I. Size larger; elytra about one-third longer than thorax . B. @Ravipus, Jil, II. Size smaller ; elytra nearly twice as long as thorax, i. Colour leaden black; legs and antenne pitchy . . . . B. PuBEscENs, Zr. ii. Colour reddish-brown ; legs and antennez rufous . . . B. urtIcm, Kug. B. gravidus, Ill. (Cuteretes pulicarius, Gyll.; linariw, Steph. ; Heterostomus gravidus Duv.). Convex, rather broad, of a dull black colour, clothed with brownish grey pubescence, upper surface very closely punctured ; antenne red; thorax almost broader than elytra, with sides rounded and narrowed in front, base bisinuate, posterior angles somewhat projecting ; scutellum large, triangular; elytra a third longer than thorax; legs red, intermediate and posterior pairs often blackish. L. 22-3 mm, , Local, but not uncommon in many districts; on the common toad-flax, Zinaria - vulgaris; London district, rather common; Chatham, Mickleham, Chobham, Belvedere, Shiere, Reigate; Maidstone; Brandon, Suffolk; Birchington; Dover ; Deal; Folkestone; Southampton; Winchester; Portland; Burwell Fen; Twyford, near Repton ; Hunstanton ; Wallasey, Cheshire; Northumberland district, Hetton Hall, near Belford ; not recorded from Scotland. In the European catalogue of Heyden, Reitter, and Weise, B. gravidus, Ill., and B. linariw, Steph., are given as separate species; we certainly do not possess more than one species of the sub-genus Heterostomus as British, and Erichson and other authors have always considered them identical, B. pubescens, Er. (Caferetes urtice, var a., Ill. ; glaber, Newm.). Much smaller than the preceding ; leaden black, with legs and antenns pitchy ; thorax about as broad as elytra, plainly transverse,.truncate in front and behind, rather thickly punctured, posterior angles bluntly rounded; scutellum semicircular, punctured; elytra nearly twice as long as thorax, rather thickly punctured ; legs rather long. L. 2 mm. Generally distributed and common throughout the midland and southern districts of England, but less common further north ; Scotland, rare, Solway district; it is found chiefly on nettles, B. urticw, Kug. Very like the preceeding, but easily distinguished by its reddish-brown colour, and thinner pubescence, which causes it to appear more shiny; the legs and antenne are rufous; the elytra are 222 CLAVICORNIA. [ Brachypterus. rather longer in proportion to the thorax, and the punctuation is rather stronger. L. 2 mm. Generally distributed and common on nettles in flower throughout England and Scotland, and probably Ireland; in the midland and southern districts of England, however, it appears to be not quite as abundant as B, pubescens. CERCWS, Laireille. This genus contains upwards of twenty species, which are found in Europe, Algeria, Siberia, and North America; three occur in Britain, the first two of which differ considerably from the third, and have by some authors been placed under a separate genus, Anome@ocera, Shuck. ; with regard to the small apical dorsal segment, through the supposed absence of which in both sexes this genus is to a great extent separated from the preceding, there seems to be a difference of opinion; Erichson expressly says that the pygidium is simple in both sexes; Thomson says, “segmento anali maris haud conspicuo;” and Dr. Horn says of the Brachypterina generally (including Cercus), “the males have a small apical dorsal segment ;” as a rule it is very difficult to perceive the extra segment, but it appears to be visible in some specimens under a high power when the beetle is held in a certain position. I. Antenne long; thorax plainly transverse. i. Male with the second joint of the antenne strongly dilated, triangular; elytra reddish-testaceous with the scutellary region and apex dark . .... . ii. Male with the second joint of the antennze simple; elytra black with two large testaceous spots on disc. C. BIPUSTULATUS, Payk. II. Antenne short; thorax nearly as long as broad, gradually contracted from base to apex . . . « + O. RUFILABRIS, Latr. Cc. pedicularius, L. Moderately convex, clothed with very fine and thin greyish pubescence, reddish-testaceous, with the scutellary region and apex of elytra dark; in somewhat immature specimens the elytra are occasionally entirely reddish-testaceous ; antennz long, second joint in male strongly dilated, triangular; thorax transverse, about as broad at base as elytra, with sides strongly rounded, deeply and rather thickly punctured, posterior angles rounded ; elytra about double as long as thorax, rather strongly punctured; breast blackish ; legs reddish- testaceous. L. 13-24 mm. Marshy places; on Spirwa ulmaria (meadow-sweet), Carex paniculata, &e.; local but occasionally abundant where it occurs; London district, not common, Greenhithe, Aylsham, &c.; Brandon; Maidstone ; Hastings; Isle of Wight, common in a marshy place near Sandown in April on Carex ; Glanvilles Wootton ; Plymouth ; Barmouth; Repton; Sutton Park and Solihull near Birmingham; Chat Moss; cng re eyey district ; Scotland, very rare, Tweed and Forth districts; Ireland, near Dublin. C. PEDICULARIUS, L. Cc. bipustulatus, Payl. Very like the preceding, but not so strongly and rather more thickly punctured; elytra black, with two large testaceous spots on dise ; colour, however, very variable, sometimes Cercus. | CLAVICORNIA. 293 entirely reddish-testaceous; in doubtful cases the species may be distinguished by the simple second joint of the antenne of the male ; single female specimens of the two species are sometimes difficult to determine. L. 13-23 mm. Marshy places; on Spirea ulmaria, Epilobium, Carex paniculata, &e.; it has also occurred in Cossus burrows in Sherwood Forest ; local but occasionally abundant where it occurs ; London district, rather common, Snodland (Kent), Coombe Wood, Aylsham, &c.; Amberley ; Maidstone ; Wingham, near Sandwich; Glanvilles Wootton ; Devon; Wicken Fen, Cambridge; Solihull, Knowle, Leamington, Repton and other midland localities; Nocton, near Lincoln; Withington, Cheshire; Manchester; Scarborough ; Northumberland district ; Scotland, recorded by Murray as ‘‘occasional,”’ but Dr. Sharp says that he does not know of its occurrence, C. rufilabris, Latr. Smaller than average specimens of either of the two preceding, more elongate and less convex, clothed with very thin and fine pubescence; colour very variable, varying from almost black with mouth parts red, to entirely reddish-testaceous ; head small, finely and very thickly punctured, antenne short, very much shorter than in the preeeding species ; thorax almost as long as broad at base where it is almost as broad as elytra, narrowed from base to apex, deeply and rather thickly punctured, with all the angles bluntly rounded ; elytra thickly and strongly punctured ; legs and mouth parts always red. L. 13-2 mm. Marshy places, on various plants, often on reeds and rushes; common: and gene- r-lly distributed in the London district, and the southern and midland districts of England; rarer further north, and not recorded from Scotland. Between the Brachypterina and the Carpophilina come several im- portant genera which are not represented in Europe, and occur almost solely in the tropics ; among these may be mentioned Oolastus, Brachy- peplus, and Conotelus, each of which contains a larger number of species, and the curious genera Calonecrus, Cilleus, Ithyphenes, and Ortho- gramma. CARPOPHILINA. The members of this tribe are distinguished from the Brachypterina by their compact club, unilohed maxille, and the very evident grooves for the reception of the antenne ; they are chiefly confined to the single genus Carpophilus. CARPOPHILUS, Leach. This genus comprises about a hundred species, which are widely dis- tributed throughout the world, but occur chiefly in tropical countries ; only seven species occur in Enrope, and several of these are probably introduced ; three have been found in Britain. The larva of C. hemipterus is described by Perris, Larves des Coléoptéres, p. 45; it very closely resembles that of Ips guadripunctata, of which he gives a full description (p. 43), and chiefly differs in being rather more curved, and in having the last abdominal segment slightly different. 224 CLAVICORNIA. [ Carpophilus. I. Elytra spotted with yellow, : a i, Thorax narrowed in front and widened behind ; elytra scarcely longer than thorax. . . . . . - + + « C, HEMIpTERvs, L, ii. Thorax narrowed in front and behind; elytra twice as long as thorax. . 2. 6 s+ 2 6 6 5% + Sus C. SEXPUSTULATUS, F. II, Elytra without spots . 2. . + + «© «© © © © # @ C, MutTinatus, Er. C. hemipterus, L. (/lerwosus, Payk.; pictus, Heer). Rather stoutly built, short and convex, with rather thick pubescence, black or pitchy- black, somewhat dull, elytra with a yellow spot at shoulder, and another at apex which sometimes wholly, sometimes partially, covers their apical half; head small, thickly punctured ; thorax nairowed in front, as broad at base as elytra, thickly punctured, with all the angles rounded ; scutellum rather large, punctured ; elytra scarcely longer than thorax, thickly, and in the middle almost rugosely, punctured ; legs red. L. 23-3 mm. In sugar, preserved figs and other dried fruits, grain, and other provisions; a cosmopolitan species that has been spread by commerce over a great portion of the world; it has occurred in many of our large towns; Dr, Power, however, informed me that Turner once brought him four specimens alive, which he had taken with Engis humeralis in Cossus burrows in Dulwich Wood; Dr. Power had himself taken Silvanus, Trogosita, and other species usually considered as introduced and not indigenous, under bark in the open country, but believed that all of them had probably wandered from some other locality. : (C. sexpustulatus, F. (abbreviatus, Panz.). Long and fiat, narrow, rather shiny, very sparingly pubescent; colour reddish-brown ; elytra parallel-sided, with two plain impressions on each, and three yellowish spots, one at shoulder, which is often obscure, a more distinct one in middle, and a third at apex, usually obscure, sometimes almost invisible ; the thorax is a little narrower than the elytra, and is rounded at the sides and narrowed in front and behind, so that it appears to be sub- orbicular; the antennz are reddish-brown with blackish club, and the legs are red. L. 2-3 mm. In dried fruits, &c.; only two or three British examples are known, and these are undoubtedly importations, Cc. mutilatus, Er. (hemipterus, F., nec L.). Considerably narrower in proportion than C. hemipterus, L., but broader than C. sexpustulatus ; thorax quadrate, hardly broader at base than at apex, sides very slightly rounded ; elytra not much longer than thorax; head reddish, thorax and abdomen darker, pitchy-red, or blackish; elytra rufescent, without spots, apical angles and region round scutellum more or less broadly darker ; legs red. L. 2-2} mm, Taken in considerable numbers by the late Mr. T. R. Hardy at the bottom of old wheat-stacks in the neighbourhood of Manchester, and also sparingly, as he informed me, in Cossus burrows in Sherwood Forest ; in Dr. Power’s collection are two speci- mens which were found in corn which had probably been imported. LS) to cr Nitidulina.| CLAVICORNIA. NITIDULINA. This tribe contains the majority of the European genera and species which belong to the family, two of the genera, Hpurca and Meligethes, being of considerable extent in point of numbers; its members are distinguished from those of the preceding tribe by having the abdomen entirely or almost entirely covered by the elytra, and from the Cychra- mina, to which they bear a close relation, by having the thorax fitting closely to the base of the elytraand not covering it. With the exception of Stelidota, Ipidia, and Xenostrongylus, all the European genera are represented in Britain. I. Prosternum depressed behind anterior cox, not pro duced. i, Antennal grooves convergent, the convergence varying in degree. 1, All the tarsi more or less dilated; disc of thorax without impressions. A. Labrum bilobed; abdomen of male with an extra dorsal segment, a. Thorax widely margined. a*, Posterior legs approaching one another . . Epurma, Zr. b*. Posterior legs considerably separated. . . OmosipHora, Reitfer. b. Thorax with hardly perceptible margins . . Micrurvta,* Reitier. B. Labrum only feebly emarginate ; abdomen of male without extra segment. . . NuIrimpvuna, F. 2. Tarsi not dilated; dise of thorax with i impressions . Soronia, Zr. ii. Antennal grooves parallel, or nearly so. 1. First joint of antenne very strongly dilated ; man- dibles bifid at apex. . . Ampuortis, Zr. 2. First joint of antennae moderately thickened ; ; man- dibles not bifid, but with a strong tooth about a third from apex. . ditto, Fey Se? ve a AQ osrra , II. Prosternum produced behind. i. Head without, or with very indistinct, antennal grooves; tarsi dilated. 1, All the tibia simple . . . «1... + « « Pari, Kirby. 2. Front tibize simple; hinder Eats of tibiee furnished with spines’ . «ss «4 °« « eo eos « THALYORA, Zr. ii. Head with distinct antennal grooves. 1. Tarsi not dilated ; front tibie simple, produced into a strong point exter nally atapex . . Pocapius, Zr. 2. Tarsi all dilated; front tibize more or less strongly and very variably ‘toothed externally. . . . . . Metiaerues, [virby. EPURZEA, Erichson. This genus comprises about seventy species, which are widely distri- buted ; the majority occur in cold and temperate regions, but represen- tatives have been recorded from Madagascar and South Africa, Ceylon, Tahiti, Chili, Java, &c. ; more than thirty are found in Europe, of which * Previously Micruria; of. Wiener, Ent. Zeitung, iii, 209 (August, 188!) VOL. III. Q 226 CLAVICORNIA. [ Epurea. - sixteen occur in Britain; many of the species are difficult to determine ; some of them are very distinct, so much so that they have been held to form separate genera; two of these, Omosiphora and Micrurula, have been adopted above, and with almost as much reason a third might be introduced—Dadopora, Thoms.—to include E. decemguttata and E. diffusa ; other species, however, come exceedingly close to one another, and it is almost impossible to distinguish them except hy comparing them with authentic types; the table, therefore, given below must be regarded as merely provisional ; all the species are more or less testaceous or reddish in colour, and the males have a distinct extra abdominal seg- ment; in size and colour the same species is often very variable, and this vccasions much confusion ; the members of the genus live under bark, at flowing sap, and in flowers, and to a certain extent they may be separated by their habitat; this point, however, must not be pressed too far, as the flower-frequenting species (e.g. EH. florea) are occasionally found at sap. The larva of E. obsoleta is described and figured by Perris, Ann. Fr. 1862, 184, t. 5, ff., 525-533, and by Bouché, Naturg. des Insekt, p. 188; it does not call for much remark, being linear and somewhat depressed with a roundish head and short 4-jointed antennas; the last abdominal segment bears two diverging corneous cerci. I. Tibiw widely dilated at apex; intermediate coxze almost contiguous; hind femora in male either furnished witha blunt tooth or thickened. (Dadopora, Thoms.) i. Size larger (3}-4 mm.); spots on elytra usually well marked . . «0 ¢ « 0 «© © tim wisn ms i \l latices Denn Tanna Tae ii. Size smaller (2} mm.) ; spots on elytra more or less confluent gs. 0. 4. 6. ue. ee meee ee en a II, Tibiz at most slightly dilated at apex, intermediate pair often sinuate in male; intermediate coxce mode- rately separate ; all the femora simple in both sexes. (Epurea, i. sp.) i. Upper- and under-sides entirely testaceous or rufo- testaceous, unicolorous; dise of thorax not darker than the margins. (Occasionally these species have a dark spot or two towards the apex of the elytra, but this is usually deceptive, being caused by the pcan! of the wings against the semi-transparent elytra. ; 1. Species more or less oval and convex; anterior margin of thorax strongly emarginate. A. Antenne with the last joint broader than the penultimate . ay tn ie Pee B, Antenne with the last joint narrower than the penultimate. a. Size smaller (3 mm.); punctuation stronger ., E. MELINA, Er. b. Size larger (4 mm.) ; punctuation less strong E. sttacka, Er. 2. Species strongly oblong ; anterior margin of thorax almost straight or only feebly emarginate. A. Punctuation extremely fine, almost obsolete . E. optonea, Herbst. B. Punctuation distinct. a. Club of antennz dark; form more elongate . E. LoON@ULA, Er, b. Club of antenn concolorous ; form shorter . E, FLoREA, Er. E. mstiva, ZL. -- ~~ om “4 ~I Epurea. | OLAVICORNIA. 22 ii, Upper-side spotted or flecked with black, darker portions often ill defined ; sometimes the whole surface is of a dark red unicolorous colour, with dise of thorax darker than the margins ; under- side more or less dark. 1. Sides of thorax gradually becoming wider for two- thirds or more of their length from apex, thence contracted to base. A. Thorax with a more or less distinct angular sinuation at point of contraction to base. a. Last joint of antenne as broad as, or very slightly narrower than, the two preceding. a*, Margins of thorax broader ; club of antennze concolorous; average sizelarger . . . KE. DELETA, Er, b*, Margins of thorax narrower; club of an- tennz more or less infuscate ; ic, 3 sizesmaller . . . E. IMMUNDA, Er. b, Last joint of antenne distinetly narrower than the two preceding, a*, Colour darker; margins of thorax and elytra broader ; intermediate tibie of male simple . . E. PARVULA, Sturm, b*. Colour lighter ; margins ‘of. thorax and elytra narrower; intermediate tibic of male sinuate . . E, OBSOLETA, F. B. Thorax with sides evenly, rounded, without a trace of angular sinuation at point of contrac- tion to base. . E. VARI£EGATA, Herbst, 2. Sides of thorax strongly rounded in front and not contracted behind. .. P E, NEGLECTA, Sturm. . Sides of thorax almost parallel or at most very slightly contracted in a straight line towards base. A. Size larger ; club of antenne concolorous ; thorax alittle broader at base than at apex. . E, PUSILLA, Er. B. Size smaller ; club of antennz infuscate ; thorax a little narrower at base than at apex . . . HE, ANGUSTULA, Er, E. decemguttata, F. Rather a large species, which is easily known by its colour and thick legs ; oblong-ovate, only slightly convex, not very thickly punctured, thinly pubescent ; head reddish-yellow with forehead darker, antennz yellow, thorax with light margins, disc more or less broadly dark ; elytra dark with the margins and five spots on each testaceous, three on the margin, a long one at base, and one behind the middle; under-side entirely testaceous ; legs reddish ; the elytral spots are usually distinct, but occasionally are somewhat confluent. L. 34-4 mn. Male with the posterior tibiz excised at apex, and the posterior femora armed with a blunt tooth or projection. Found at sap of oaks, &c., but is usually connected with the burrows of Cossus ligniperda ; rare ; Shirley, Coombe Wood, Addington, Birdbrook, Tonbridge; Hast- ings; New Forest ; Swansea ; Dunham Park, near Manchester. E. diffusa, Bris. (fuscicollis, Steph.). Very like the preceding, but Q 2 228 CLAVICORNIA, [ Epurea. much smaller, with the spots on the elytra not»nearly so well marked, : and sometimes so confluent that the elytra appear to be almost entirely testaceous; the elytra are somewhat more acuminate at the extremity than is the case with the preceding species, but this is not a marked character ; in the male the posterior tibize and femora are rarely more than thickened, L. 2} mm. At the exuding sap of Cossus-infected trees; rare; Addington and Shirley; Soli- hull, near Birmingham (Blatch) ; Dunham Park, near Manchester, in company with the preceding species (J. Chappell); Stretford, near Manchester, flying over a wood- yard (A. Reston) ; Scotland, very rare, “a single specimen found in fungus, on an oak stump at Eccles,” Solway district (Sharp). It is probable that this species is only a small variety of H. decem- guttata, as intermediate specimens occur which have the tibie and femora of the male not quite simple, and which vary both as to colour and size ; the var. minor, elytris immaculatis of Waterhouse’s catalogue must be referred to this species, the example being entirely testaceous with dark thorax ; the question will be found fully discussed by myself in Ent. Monthly Mag. xxi. 93, 94. E. wstiva, L. Ovate, lighter or darker reddish-testaceous or ferru- ginous, rather thickly and finely, but distinctly, punctured, with thin and fine pubescence ; antennz unicolorous reddish-testaceous, with the last joint of the club large, always broader than the penultimate; thorax with distinct, but not broad, margins, sides rounded and somewhat narrowed towards apex, anterior margin broadly emarginate, posterior angles right angles; elytra moderately convex ; legs reddish-testaceous, with all the tibiz simple in both sexes. L. 2-3 mm. In flowers, especially in hawthorn blossom in spring ; very common and generally distributed throughout the kingdom. Mr, J. Chappell informs me that he has found the larve plentifully in a nest of Bombus lucorum, which he put into a tin, and from them reared a large number of the perfect insect in the following spring. There is often a dark roundish spot on each elytron in this species ; this is, however, mostly deceptive, and is caused by the folding of the wings, as above mentioned, underneath the elytra; the specimens in which the spot is marked appear to be the v. bisignata, Sturm. E. melina, Er. Very closely allied to the preceding, but easily dis- guished by its much stronger and less close punctuation, and the black or dark club of the antenne, the last joint of which is narrower than the penultimate, and not broader, as in HZ. estiva ; in many specimens the last joint only of the antenne is fuscous ; the species is on an ave- rage larger than the preceding and of a darker colour. Erichson says of £. melina that the “legs in both sexes are simple.” Thomson says that the “male has the intermediate tibie sinuate.” I have examined a number of specimens, and Dr. Power kindly examined his series for me, and all these have the intermediate tibiee simple ; this is only one out of several points on which*authorities are found at variance in this genus. L. 3 inh Epurea. | OLAVICORNIA. 229 By beating sallows, hawthorn blossom, &c., and by sweeping herbage; not un- common in some localities, but much rarer than the preceding species. London dis- trict, generally distributed, Chatham, Darenth Wood, Wimbledon, Caterham, Mickle- ham, Claygate, Shirley, Dulwich; Amberley; Holm Bush, Brighton ; Hastings ; Tewkesbury ; Bewdley ; Yardley and Knowle, near Birmingham ; Bretby, near Repton ; Barmouth ; Northumberland district, very rare; Scotland, rare, Solway district ; Ireland, near Waterford. E. silacea, Er. Larger and less convex than either of the two pre- ceding species, with much wider and stronger margins to the thorax ; of a bright reddish-testaceous or luteous colour, unicolorous ; sides of thorax narrowed in front, contracted and almost sinuate before posterior angles ; punctuation not so strong as in LH. melina, but stronger than in H. estiva ; antenne with the last joint very slightly narrower than the penultimate ; apex of elytra truncate; legs reddish-testaceous. L. 2 mm. Male with the intermediate tibiz sinuate. Very rare; Mr. Champion has taken it at Aviemore, Tay district, at sap of birch (Thomson considers it as exclusively attached to flowers); it has also occurred at Braemar, and in a rotten birch stump at the foot of Cross Craig, near Camachgouran, Rannoch ; it is recorded in McNab’s Dublin list as from near Dublin, but this is pro- bably in error, as very large specimens of EL. wstiva have sometimes been mistaken for this species. E. oblonga, Herbst. Oblong, depressed, testaceous, extremely finely punctured, clothed with fine yellowish-grey pubescence ; antenne of the same colour as the rest of the body with club darker, last joint distinctly narrower than the penultimate; thorax with the anterior. margin almost straight, side margins very distinct especially in front, sides scarcely narrowed towards apex, posterior angles very marked ; elytra more than double as long as thorax, truncate at apex ; legs testa- ceous. L. 23-3 mm. 7 Male with the intermediate tibie slightly sinuate. Under bark and at sap of fir and pine, and apparently confined to these trees ; rare ; Shirley, Surrey (Rye), Sutton, Stourport and Bewdley (Blatch}; Dunham Park, Manchester (Chappell) ; Northumberland district, Yetholm (Crotch); Scotland, very rare, under bark of Scotch fir, Tweed and Dee districts (Sharp and Champion) ; Ireland, near Dublin. ; E. longula, Er. Very like the preceding, but distinguished by its stronger punctuation and the darker, almost black, club of its antenne ;. from EH. florea it may be known by having the anterior margin of the thorax distinctly, although slightly, emarginate, by its longer and narrower form, by the side border of the thorax being broader, and by the dark club of the antenne; in the male the anterior tibie are slightly - sinuate. L, 2;-3 mm. On umbelliferous flowers; occasionally at sap; rare; Esher, Mickleham, Tilgate Forest; Addington, in Cossus burrows; Nettlecomb, Somerset; Tewkesbury ; Sherwood Forest ; Northumberland district, Gosforth ; not recorded from Scotland. 230 CLAVICORNIA. [Epurea. E. florea, Er. More ovate and shorter in form than the two pre- ceding, and, as a rule, of a darker reddish colour ; at first sight it much resembles small specimens of EZ. estiva, from which it may at once be known by the straight or almost straight anterior margin of the thorax ; the antenne are reddish-testaceous, unicolorous, with the last joint of the club scarcely narrower than the two preceding; the thorax has the sides narrowly bordered, and the posterior angles somewhat projecting in a slight tooth ; the elytra are truncate at apex. L. 2-2} mm. Male with the intermediate tibie sinuate. Under bark, at sap, in flowers, &c. ; often by sweeping ; local, but common in some districts. London district, common; generally distributed also in the southern and midland counties, but rarer further north; Chat Moss, on Umbelliferze ; Liverpool ; Northumberland district, rare. Scotland, not common, chiefly on flowers of the mountain ash, Solway, Dee, and Moray districts; Ireland, near Waterford. E. deleta, Er. Testaceous or luteous, with the suture and apex of elytra usually dark, the dark colour at apex often enclosing two spots ; the colour, however, and also the size is very variable, and unicolorous specimens occasionally occur; these may be known by the shape of the thorax, which has the sides almost obliquely cut off from apex to within a third of base, and from thence contracted with a strong sinuation ; antenne unicolorous with the last joint only very slightly narrower than penultimate ; thorax plainly emarginate at apex, with sides broadly margined, rather finely and thickly punctured; elytra with broad margins ; breast usually darker, sometimes blackish ; legs pale testaceous. L. 14-3 mm. Intermediate tibiz simple in both sexes. . In fungi, at sap of felled trees, under bark, &c.; occasionally by sweeping ; common and generally distributed throughout the greater part of England; Scotland, local, Forth and probably other districts; Ireland, near Waterford, and probably widely distributed. E. immunda, Er. (terminalis, Mann.). Oval, depressed, reddish- testaceous or luteous, with the club of the antenne dark and the sides of the elytra more or less infuscate; the antennz have the last three joints of equal breadth; the thorax is emarginate at apex, narrowly margined, thickly and finely punctured, sometimes dusky on disc; the elytra are rather depressed, slightly rounded at apex, strongly margined, with thick and fine punctuation, which is rather stronger at base ; breast and abdomen brownish, apex of latter yellowish ; legs yellow or reddish. L. 3 mm. Male with the intermediate tibie sinuate. At sap of birch; very rare;’ Scarborough (Wilkinson and Lawson); Scotland, Tay and Moray districts, Aviemore and Invercannich (Champion). This species is very little known, and others are perpetually made to do duty for it in collections; it is perhaps best distinguished super- ficially by the colour; in the specimens I have seen the apex of the elytra and the sides, for the greater part of their length, are suffused : ; “ c : Epurea. | CLAVICORNIA, 231 with dark colour, and the space of the elytra enclosed within is testaceous, but this does not appear to be always the case ; the thorax is contracted with a sinuation towards base, and is as broad as the elytra without the margins, which cause it to appear narrower than the elytra. From E. deleta, which it approaches in some points, it may be distinguished by its colour and the darker club of its antenne; from Z. obsoleta, with which it is most often confounded, it may be separated by its broader form, and by having the last joint of the antenne about as broad as the penultimate, whereas in ZH. obsoleta it is distinctly narrower ; the thorax also is slightly more contracted at base than in the latter species, E. parvula, Sturm (rufomarginata, Steph.). A very dark species, often almost black with the margins of thorax and elytra only ferru- ginous; antenne ferruginous with’ club brownish, last joint much narrower than the two penultimate; sides of thorax almost as in E. deleta, except that they are slightly waved and uneven, which is a peculiar characteristic of this species ; before the base of thorax there is a strong sinuation ; in some respects it comes close to #. obsoleta, but may easily be distinguished from that- species by its more flat shining appearance and dark colour, and by the more pronounced margins of the thorax and elytra, as well as by the shape of the thorax, and the fact that the intermediate tibiz of the male are simple and not sinuate. L. 25-3 mm. In faggots ; also occasionally under bark of Scotch fir; very local ; Darenth Wood, faggot stacks (Champion); Wiltshire; Hereford; Sherwood Forest ; I have taken it commonly by beating faggots in Langworth Wood, near Lincoln, where I have also found a small variety in faggots of a species of Tilia (called ‘‘ bass”? by the country people) ; Scarborough ; Stretford near Manchester, flying over old wood-yard (Reston) ; Northumberland district ; Scotland, rare, Aviemore. E. obsoleta, F. This is one of the most difficult species of the genus to determine; variable both in size, colour, and to a certain extent in structure of thorax, and in consequence often confounded with other species; the elytra are, as a rule, obscurely marked with dark patches, but occasionally the whole insect is of a reddish colour, and may in that case be easily confounded with other species, such as E. florea ; from the latter insect small unicolorous examples of H. obsvleta may be distinguished by the plain emargination of the anterior margin of the thorax, and by the club of the antennz which is dark and has the last joint much narrower than the two preceding; from E. pusilla, which it in some cases rather closely resembles, the species may be known by the emargination of the anterior margin of thorax being much less pro- nounced, by its truncate elytra, more rounded sides and narrower margins of thorax, and by the dark club of its antenne ; from other allied species, such as H. parvula, it may be separated by the sinuate intermediate tibiz of the male. L. 13-3 mm. 232 CLAWICORNIA, [ Epurcea. At sap, under bark, in fungi, &c.; generally distributed and common throughout the greater part of England and Scotland, and probably Ireland. E. variegata, Herbst. A very distinct species of a dark rust-red colour, with transverse evenly rounded thorax, which is strongly con- — tracted at base, the base being much narrower than the base of elytra ; the sides show no trace of sinuation, and the anterior margin is rather strongly emarginate ; the antenne are ferruginous with the club con- colorous, and the three last joints are of equal breadth ; each elytron has a strong blackish spot in the centre, and a smaller and more obscure one at apex; the punctuation of the upper surface is distinct, and rather strong; legs red. L. 22-3 mm. Intermediate tibize simple in both sexes. At the exuding sap of oaks, in fungi, &c.; very rare; Surrey; Scarborough ; Scotland, Highlands, Tay district (Aviemore). E. neglecta, Sturm. One of the most distinct species of the genus; like EH, parvula in colour, dark, with the head, margins of thorax and elytra, antenne and legs ferruginous ; punctuation of upper surface strong, almost rugose ; antennz concolorous with the middle joint of the club somewhat broader than either of the other two ; the species may easily be known by its very narrow thorax, which is twice as broad as long, rounded in front and not contracted at base, which is fully as broad as the base of elytra; the elytra are narrowed towards apex, L. 2% mm, Intermediate tibize simple in both sexes. - At sap of freshly cut trees, also by beating faggot stacks in woods; very rare; Darenth Wood (Champion); West Wickham, Kent (Janson); The Holt, Farnham - (Power); in Mr. Rye’s collection there is an. example taken many years ago, and obtained by him from Mr, G, R, Waterhouse. E. pusilla, Er. A long and rather narrow species, oblong, with sides subparallel; ferruginous, with the disc of thorax generally darker, and with more or less cloudy dark markings usually present on elytra; pale examples, however, are very common; punctuation thick, moderately distinct; antenne unicolorous, with the last joint narrower than the penultimate; thorax about a third shorter than - broad, with the anterior margin very strongly emarginate, and the anterior angles in consequence very prominent, sides almost parallel ;- elytra rather long, with the apex rounded, L. 3 mm, Male with all the tibie slightly curved, and the intermediate pair strongly sinuate and widened at apex. Under bark and at sap of various trees, especially firs; common and generally dis- tributed throughout the kingdom, =H. angustula, Er. An elongate, linear, and parallel species, which may casily be known by its narrow, oblong form, long almost parallel-sided, subquadrate thorax, and dark rufous, sometimes almost black colour. I have only seen one entirely testaceous example, and this was evidently immature; the species is most closely allied to Epurea. | CLAVICORNIA, 233 E. pusilla, from small examples of which it may be distinguished by having the club of the antenne, or at least the second and third joints of the club blackish, and also by the fact that the thorax is a little wider in front than behind, the sides slightly converging to base in almost straight lines; in #. pusilla, as in almost all the other species of Epurca, the posterior margin is wider than the anterior, L, 2-23 mm. Under bark of beech, fir, holly, &e.; very rare; oceasionally by sweeping; Shiere, near Dorking (Capron) ; Scarborough (Wilkinson and Lawson); Sutton Park, near Birmingham (Blateh) ; Chat Moss (Reston); Dunham Park, Manchester (Chappell) ; Eastham, near Liverpool] (Ellis) ; Scotland, very rare, Highlands, Tay district, in the burrows of Xyloterus lineatus in Scotch fir. OMOSIPHORA, Reiter. This genus contains three European species, which are distinguished from Epurcea by their long legs, the posterior of which are rather widely separated, and by their different contour ; one of these only is found in Britain, and until quite recently has been classed in our catalogues under Hpurea. O. limbata, F. Rather short and broad, ovate, dise of thorax and elytra convex, margins broad; upper surface thickly punctured ; head dark with the mouth parts ferruginous, antenne ferruginous with club usually darker, last joint narrower than the preceding; thorax about twice as broad as long, contracted at base, dilated in middle, anterior margin broadly emarginate, dark with the broad explanate margins red; elytra broadest in middle, coloured as thorax, or more usually with base or basal half as well as margins red; legs long, reddish- testaceous, tibiee simple in both sexes, L. 23 mm. In fungi, &e.; not uncommon and sometimes plentiful, but local ; London district, not uncommon, Chatham, Dartford, Sheerness, Walton-on-Thames, Shiere, Horsell, Dulwich, Burnham Beeches, &c.; Glanvilles Wootton ; Devon; Stourport; Hun- stanton; Repton, Burton-on-Trent (in old cabbage stump); Nocton, near Lincoln ; Northumberland district, very local; Scotland, very rare, Solway district, found in flood refuse at Kelton, below Dumfries, by Mr. Lennon. According to Erichson this species is taken at sap, and also under fallen leaves in sunny places in early spring. MICRURULA, Reitter. This genus was formed for the reception of Epurea melanocephala, Marsh ; the thorax has no separate side border, which gives the species the appearance of a Meligethes rather than an Hpurea, and besides this, its entirely different contour and certain differences in the mouth organs, especially the mandibles, seem to justify its separation as a distinct genus. IM. melanocephala, Marsh. Ovate, rather short and broad, 234 CLAVICORNIA. [ Micrurula. convex, thickly punctured, clothed with not very fine and rather thick pubescence ; colour variable, but usually testaceous, with the thorax dark — and the antenne and legs reddish; antenne unicolorous with the three joints of the club of equal breadth ; thorax rather long, gradually con- tracted from base to apex, much narrower in front than behind, base as wide as base of elytra; elytra rather convex, narrowly margined ; legs rather short and stout, the same in both sexes, intermediate tibiee with a row of very fine spines on their outer side. L. 25 mm. By beating and sweeping flowers and trees in blossom in early summer; local ; London district, rather common, Caterham, Mickleham, Shirley, Sevenoaks, St. Mary Cray, Shiere, Birch Wood, Purley Down, Loughton, &c.; Amberley ; Dover ; Glanvilles Wootton ; Salford Priors, near Evesham ; Gumley, Leicestershire ; Fore- mark near Repton, Burton-on-Trent (wild cherry blossom); not recorded from any of the nortbern counties of England, but probably occurs rarely ; Scotland, very rare, Forth and Moray districts. The colour of this species is very variable; some specimens are en- tirely testaceous; this rather common variety is the Nitidula affinis of Stephens ; a much rarer variety, the NV. brunnea of Heer, is entirely black or fuscous, with the mouth parts, antennz, and legs testaceous ; of this variety I have only seen two British examples, which are in Mr. Wilkinson’s collection, now in the possession of Mr. Mason. NITIDULA, Fabricius. About thirty species are at present comprised in this genus, which are very widely distributed, as representatives occur in Europe, Siberia, and North America, and also in North and South Africa, Ceylon, Peru, and Brazil, and in the Australian region in New Zealand and New Cale- donia ; there are five Eurdpean species, of which four are found in Britain ; these may be distinguished as follows :— I. Thorax entirely black. i, Elytra with yellow or reddish spots; thorax with anterior margin straight. 1. Size larger; elytra black, with one well-defined reddish-yellow spotoneach . . .. . . + N. BipusturaTa, L, 2. Size smaller ; elytra dark, with four irregular reddish spots on each, which are often confluent ; andform bands .... .. .. . . . N, QUADRIPUSTULATA, F. ii. Elytra without spots; thorax with anterior mar- gin distinctly emarginate . . . . . . . . . N. nuripss, Z. II. Thorax with margins broadly yellow . . . . N. FLexvosa, F. N. bipustulata, L. Moderately convex, of a dull black colour, each elytron with one well-defined large reddish-yellow spot on each, placed a little behind the middle ; head very thickly punctured, antenne entirely black or dark red with black club; thorax as broad behind as elytra, with anterior margin straight or almost straight, rather more narrowed in front in the female than in the male; the punctuation alsa Nie al aa ai Woe Nitidula.] CLAVICORNIA, 235 is finer in the latter sex than in the former; elytra very finely and some- what rugosely punctured ; legs red ; occasionally the margins of the thorax and elytra are reddish-brown, and sometimes the whole body-colour is brownish. L. 3-45 mm. Under dead birds and animals, old bones, &c.; common and generally distributed throughout the kingdom. N. quadripustulata, F. (carnaria, Schall.). This species at first sight resembles in size and colouring some species of Hpurewa; the head and thorax are dull black, and the elytra dull black or brownish with four irregular light spots, which are often confluent and form bands ; the antennee are reddish with dark club; thorax as broad as elytra, scarcely narrowed in front, finely but distinctly punctured, with anterior margin straight ; legs red or ferruginous. L. 2-24 mm. In carcases of birds and animals, under bones, &c. ; not common; Darenth, Black- heath, Shirley, Weybridge, Wimbledon, Sheerness, Chatham, Whitstable; Coombe Wood; Hastings; Devon; Hunstanton, Norfolk. N. rufipes, L. (obscura, F.). Entirely dull black, with very fine, almost invisible punctuation ; antenne red with black club; thorax a little more narrowed in front in the female than in the male, about as broad as elytra, with anterior margin emarginate ; elytra very finely punctured, but a little less closely than thorax; legs red. L. 24-44 mm. Found under the same circumstances as the two preceding species; rare; Darenth Wood (found in some numbers by Dr. Power) ; Esher, Sheerness, Chatham, Graves- end, Ashtead; Stephens gives as localities, Norfolk, Suffolk, Devonshire, Netley, Glanvilles Wootton, and Swansea. There seems to be no good reason why the preference should -be given to Fabricius’ name for this species, as is now generally the case, as the insects in the Linnean collection standing under Silpha rujipes are our Nitidula rufipes ; it is certainly true that the description given by Linneus does not accord with them, yet neither does it agree with Meligethes rufipes, which his insect is generally supposed to have been, (N. flexuosa, /’. ( flavomaculata, Rossi). Head black, thorax black with margins broadly yellow, elytra black with two very variable spots on each, one at base, and one in middle close to suture; the four spots are often confluent, and enclose a dark space round scutellum; the upper surface is very finely punctured, and is a little more shining than in the other species ; antenne rather long, yellowish with dark club ; thorax scarcely narrowed in front in male, distinctly narrowed in female, with anterior margin somewhat emarginate ; legs yellow or reddish-yellow. L, 3—4% mm. Very rare, and doubtfully indigenous; Scarborough (Lawson) ; sands at South Shields (Bold) ; in all probability imported with hides or bones; Mr. Bold himself regarded his specimens as probable introductions. 236 CUAVICORNIA. [ Nitidula. The species of Nitidula vary very much in size, as may be seen from the lengths above given. SORONTA, Erichson. This genus at present contains only about half-a-dozen species, three of which occur in Europe, and the others have been described from North America, South Africa, and the Australian region; the genus, therefore, is widely distributed, and will probably prove to be much more extensive than is at present known. The species of Soronia and Omosita are readily distinguished from all our other Nitidulide by having the dise of the thorax distinctly im- pressed or wrinkled ; slight traces of impressions are visible in many specimens of Hpurea parvula, Amphotis, &c., but these are apparently abnormal, and very different from the impressions on the thorax in the two first-named genera; the two British species of Soronia resemble each other so closely and vary so much in size that it is sometimes hard to distinguish them. The larva of S. grisea is described by Perris (Larves des Coléoptéres, p. 26), and is described and figured by Westwood, who quotes from Curtis (Classification I. 141, fig. 11) ; it is somewhat depressed, of a dirty white colour, with six scaly legs ; the extremity of the body is furnished with four small horny conical appendages curved upwards; each segment is also beset with several short stiff hairs, and the lateral margins of the abdominal segments are furnished with a small fleshy and somewhat conical protuberance ;.on the under-side of the extremity of the body is an appendage which is used as a proleg. I. Form broader and more convex ; punctuation closer ; average size larger . .'. + « «© «© ss «© » 8. PUNOTATISSIMA, J17. II. Form narrower and less convex; punctuation less close; average sizesmaller . . . . . 6 « « « » S. GRISEA, Z. S. punctatissima, IJ]. Somewhat convex, ferruginous or reddish- brown with the thorax and elytra variegated with black or dark brown and yellowish or reddish spots; margins of thorax and elytra broad ; punctuation of upper surface ‘close; elytra with four or five raised lines on each which are sometimes more or less obsolete; under-side reddish or reddish-brown, legs reddish. L. 31-5} mm. | At exuding sap; usually found in or near burrows of Cossus ligniperda; very local; Shirley and Esher in birch (Power); Darenth, Chatham, Coombe Wood, Addington, Norwood, Belvedere, Shiere; Hastings; Isle of Wight; Dean Forest ; Repton ; Scarborough ; Liverpool district ; Dunham Park, Manchester, in oaks and ulders (Chappell) ; Stretford, in old cherry trees (Reston) ; Northumberland district ; Scotland, local, Tweed, Tay, Dee, and Moray districts. S. grisea, L. Smaller on the average than the preceding species, and also narrower and less convex, and more sparingly and less closely unctured ; in the preceding species the black markings on the elytra a little behind the middle are interrupted by a wavy yellowish band ; this yellowish band or fascia is succeeded by a dark band, which is inter- a a = See Soronia. | OLAVICORNIA. 237 rupted at the suture, a space near the suture remaining testaceous; in S. grisea these markings are just the same, but the hinder dark band is not interrupted, and, as a rule, covers the whole sutural space ; in the latter species the anterior tibize are quite simple in both sexes; in S. punctatissima they are slightly curved in the male. L. 3-45 mm. Widely distributed and rather common throughout the London, Southern, and Midland districts; rarer further north; not so often associated with Cossus as the preceding; Notting Hill, in willows not infested by Cossus (Power); Stretford, Manchester, under bark of old apple trees (Reston) ; common in and near Cossus burrows in the above-mentioned districts ; I have beaten it from hawthorn blossom near the banks of the Trent at Repton, and in Bretby Wood near the same place ; Scotland, scarce, Solway, Forth, and Moray districts; Ireland, near Dublin, and probably widely distributed. AMPHOTIS, HErichson. About half-a-dozen species are comprised in this genus, three of which occur in Europe, and the others are found respectively in Syria, North America, and Cayenne ; the genus may be at once distinguished, apart from differences in the mouth organs, by the very broad and smooth margins of the thorax and elytra, and the very greatly enlarged first joint of the antenne, which, when viewed from above, gives the forehead the appearance of being strongly lobed ; the second joint is inserted beneath the lobe formed by the first, which slightly overlaps it, and not at the end of the first joint, as is the case with Omosita and other genera, which have the first joint thickened. A.marginata, Er. Convex, with very broad and distinct margins to thorax and elytra; head and thorax ferruginous; elytra dark, with some lighter markings, and with five distinct raised longitudinal lines on each; margins of thorax and elytra of a uniform red colour; pune- tuation of thorax fine and close, of elytra stronger and more diffuse ; legs rather stout, red. L. 4-5 mm. In chinks and crevices of beech and other trees near the runs of Formica fuli- ginosa; rare; Birch Wood, Chobham, Reigate, Coombe Wood, Tilgate Forest, Aira Horsell, Maidstone ; apparently not found except in or near the London istrict. OMOSITA, Erichson. This genus contains about half-a-dozen species from Europe, North America, and Abyssinia ; all the three European species occur in Britain, and may be distinguished as follows :— I, Length 43 mm.; thorax ferruginous; elytra strongly mar- MOGs cs. (ih dar eei cera wheats <> oO. DEPRESSA, Lz Il. Length 2-3 mm.; thorax dark, with margins somewhat lighter; elytra very slightly margined. i, Thorax strongly rounded and contracted in front; elytra dark with scattered reddish-yellow markings , . . . 4 O. COLON, L. 238 CLAVICORNIA. [ Omasita, ii. Thorax slightly contracted in front ; elytra with a common luteous spot reaching from base to beyond middle, . . . QO, DiscorpEA, F, ©. depressa, L. Entirely of a rust-red colour, except the head, scutellum, centre of thorax, and a few scattered spots on elytra, which are darker; head thickly and somewhat rugosely punctured, antenns with the first joint thickened, club compact ; thorax thickly and finely punctured, with two impressions on dise behind middle, and a strong longitudinal furrow on each side, posterior margin very distinctly bisinuate ; elytra very finely, almost invisibly punctured, with strong margins; legs ferruginous. L. 45 mm. In dry carcases, also under bones, and at sap; rare in the south, rather common in the north; Ashtead, Surrey; Hastings; ‘Netley; Glanvilles Wootton; Llan- gollen; North Derbyshire; Sherwood Forest; Lancaster sands; Northumberland district ; Scotland, locally common, Lowlands and Highlands, Solway, Forth, Tay, Dee, ree and probably other districts; Ireland, Kilruddery near Dublin, near Belfast, &c. ; . ©. colon, L. This and the next species are at once distinguished from the preceding by their much smaller size, different colouring, less close punctuation, more oblong form, and much narrower margins of elytra ; in fact O. depressa might for several reasons be made a separate genus. O. colon may be separated from O. discoidea by its colour, which is dark, with the margins of the thorax somewhat lighter ; the elytra have each a rather small but distinct spot behind middle, reach- ing to suture, and a few other smaller light spots towards base; the thorax is strongly rounded and contracted in front, so that the anterior margin is considerably narrower than the posterior, and the base shows very slight traces of sinuation, LL. 2-3 mm. In dry careases, haystack refuse, under old bones, &c.; common and generally distributed throughout the kingdom. O. discoidea, F. Very like the preceding, but distinguished by not having the thorax much contracted in front, so that the anterior margin is nearly as broad as the posterior, and by the elytra having a common luteous or light yellowish spot reaching from base to beyond middle and from suture nearly to side margin; the posterior margin of thorax shows hardly a trace of sinuation., L. 2-3 mm. Found under the same circumstances as the preceding; common and generally distributed throughout the greater part of England, but less common further north; Scotland, scarce, Solway and probably other districts; Ireland, near Belfast and Dublin, and probably widely distributed. THALYCRA, Erichson. Only two species are contained in this genus, one of which occurs in Europe and the other in the Australian region ; our single species is very rare in Britain, and has only been taken in Cossus trees or by ee = SS ee _— = Thalycra. | CLAVICORNIA. 239 sweeping ; according to Erichson its probable habitat is underground, as the structure of the legs seems to indicate, and he is of opinion that it comes out on hot summer evenings on grass and low vegetation; the species somewhat resembles externally Cychramus fungicola, but may easily be known by its compact club, and by the fact that the thorax: . fits closely to the elytra and does not cover their base. T. sericea, Sturm. (fervida, Ol.; Strongylus fervidus, Steph.). Bright rust-red, shining, ovate, moderately convex, clothed with short silky pubescence, apex of elytra sometimes darker; antenns red, with dark club which is very round and compact, first joint enlarged, almost semicircular ; thorax fully as broad at base as elytra, rounded at sides and narrowed in front, anterior margin emarginate, posterior margin feebly bisinuate, posterior angles almost right angles but somewhat blunt, upper surface strongly punctured ; elytra strongly punctured at base, more feebly at apex ; elytra and thorax closely fringed with short white hairs ; legs red, anterior tibize simple, posterior pairs armed with spines on their external margins. L. 3-4 mm. At the exuding sap of Cossus-infected trees; occasionally by evening sweeping ; rare; Birch Wood, Shirley, Ripley, Esher, Surbiton, Mickleham, Loughton, Bromley, Tilgate Forest; Hythorne; Balcombe (Sussex); Bournemouth; Knowle, near Birmingham; Scotland, very rare, Moray district; it is the same as the Strongylus fervidus of Stephens, and according to him occurs in fungi. POCADIUS, Erichson. This genus contains eight or nine species, two of which are found in Europe, and the others have been described from North, Central, and South America, India, and Ceylon ; the species bear a sort of superficial resemblance to Thalycra and Oychramus, but may be distinguished from the first by the regular rows of punctures on the elytra, which are separated by regular rows of yellow hairs, and from the latter by the compact round club of the antenne (the club in Cychramus being elongate), and the fact that the anterior tibie are produced into a strong point at apex. P. ferrugineus, F. Oval, convex, shining, of a reddish-brown colour, apex of elytra sometimes darker; antennz very short, light red, with dark club, which is very compact ; thorax very short in comparison with elytra, narrowed in front, posterior angles sharp, with narrow, though distinct, margins, rather diffusely and obscurely punctured ; elytra with punctuation and pubescence as ahove described ; legs light red, with all the tibize produced into a point at apex. L. 3-4 mm. In decaying fungi, especially Lycoperdons ; local but rather widely distributed in the London, Southern, and Midland districts ; rarer further north ; Northumberland district, rare ; Scotland, rare, Tweed, Forth, and Moray districts. 240 OLAVICORNIA, [ Pria. PRIA, Kirby. This genus at first sight closely resembles Meligethes, but is dis- tinguished by the oblong club of its antennz, by the thorax having a lateral stria close to the margin, and by the simple front tibie; it contains about half-a-dozen species, two of which are found in Europe, and the others have been described from South Africa and Madagascar, India and Japan ; the single British species is very widely distributed in Europe from England to the Caucasus district. P. dulcamarez, Scop. (breviuscula, Kol.). Moderately convex, of a dark olive-testaceous colour, with suture of elytra, scutellum, and the greater part of the under-side darker ; upper surface rather thickly clothed with fine and short greyish pubescence; punctuation of thorax fine, of elytra almost invisible ; posterior angles of thorax right angles ; legs yellow, anterior tibie simple ; under a high power, however, slight traces of teeth are.visible on the anterior tibia, and the posterior pairs are seen to be clothed with very short hairs on their margins ; antenna yellowish with club darker; in the male they are rather longer than in the female, and the eighth joint in the former sex is enlarged laterally, so that the club appears to be 4-jointed in the male, and 3-jointed in the female ; Stephens, deceived by this, considered them to belong to — separate genera, the female being his Meligethes dulcamare, and the male his Pria truncatella. L. 2 mm. On flowers of Solanum dulcamara; very local; London district rather common and generally distributed ; Eastbourne; Hastings; Brixham, Devon; Salford Priors, Evesham; Bewdley ; Knowle, near Birmingham ; I know of no record from further north. MELIGETHES, Kirby. In the Munich catalogue one hundred and nineteen species are enumerated as belonging to this genus ; so marily European species have, however, been since described by Reitter, Brisout, &c., that the number found in Europe alone is now about one hundred and ten, and upwards of two hundred have been in all discovered ; these are almost entirely confined to temperate and cold climates; very few occur in tropical countries ; a small number have been found in South Africa, and one or two are known from Ceylon, Persia, Madeira, &c. ; thirty-four species occur in Britain, many of which at first sight closely resemble one another, so much so that the genus is often regarded as one of the most difficult in our fauna; the punctuation, however, and general sculpture, and especially the denticulation of the anterior tibie afford such good characters for the determination of species in so many cases, that they are really easier to separate than many belonging to genera of much less ~ extent ; a high magnifying power, however, is necessary, and in some cases the differences are so comparative that the species cannot be Meligethes.] CLAVICORNIA. 241 determined with accuracy unless they are compared with authentic types; the genus as a whole is marked by the denticulate anterior tibia, taken in conjunction with the produced prosternum ; in my ‘notes on the genus (Ent. Monthly Mag. xxi. p. 213—217) I have at some length discussed the chief characters on which distinctions between species have been founded, and have especially pointed out that Reitter’s character depending on the straightness or emargination of the anterior margin of the forehead, although useful in some cases, is practically very inconvenient, and as regards our fauna is virtually useless. As the species are very numerous, and in many points closely resemble one ° another, it will perhaps be of advantage to enumerate some of the chief characters to avoid repetition :—General form subquadrate, or more or less ovate; upper surface with more or less distinct greyish or dark pubescence ; head small, triangular; mandibles short, rather broad, but sharp, furnished with one or two small inconspicuous teeth near apex ; antenne short, with the first joint considerably thickened, terminating in a compact round three-jointed club ; antennal furrows on the under-side of the head well marked, straight and parallel; thorax always trans- verse, sometimes very strongly (as in M. picipes), at other times slightly (as in MW. nanus), finely margined at sides, about as broad at base as elytra ; abdomen with the first free segment as long as the three following, which are of equal length; fifth segment longer, with two rounded impressions ; last segment of abdomen and metasternum fur- nished, especially in male, with varying depressions, keels, or prominences, which often afford very useful characters. In size the species range from 1mm. to 33mm.; as a rule they are about 2 mm. in length. The colour is usually black, sometimes very shiny, sometimes dull or leaden ; several species have a bluish or greenish (occasionally a bronze or purple) metallic lustre ; none, however, of the British species are red or testaceous (like the continental J. fuscus), except a variety of M. rufipes, which is of a dark ferruginous colour; a mahogany-coloured tinge is sometimes present on the purple varieties of M.cneus. Next to the denticulation of the anterior tibie the degree of punctuation and cross striation or reticulation between the punctures appears to afford the best determining character ; sometimes the latter takes the form of very fine alutaceous network covering the whole of the body, sometimes of coarse transverse scratches ; occasionally it is confined to the elytra, and is absent on the thorax; and in one of our species (M. murinus) it is peculiar te the scutellum; in some cases only very slight traces are visible, which are often so feeble that the interstices are, for purposes of subdivision, conveniently regarded as quite smooth. In all cases a com- pound microscope with at least a one-inch objective is required for the examination of this character, Reitter in his “ Revision der Europiiischen Meligethes-Arten” (a work indispensable to any student of the genus) divides the genus Meligethes into three sub-genera, as follows :—Jeligethes, containing the bulk of the VOL. IIL. R 242 OLAVICORNIA. [ Meligethes. species, distinguished by having simple claws not toothed at the base; Odontogethes, which has the claws broader and strongly toothed at the base, containing the single European species O. hebes, Er. (M. olivaceus, Sturm); and Acanthogethes, which has the claws as in the preceding genus, but has the forehead deeply excised in a semicircle, and the a anterior tibize strongly toothed, whereas in O. hebes the anterior tibie ; are very finely toothed, as in M. rufipes, &c., and the anterior margin of the forehead is straight ; this sub-genus contains our M. Sanaa, Kug., | M. brevis, Sturm (pictus, Rye), and three other species. ‘The species of the genus Meligethes occur on flowers; they seem to be especially attached to Cruciferae, Labiate, and Composite, and to the genus Potentilla of the Rosacee ; they are, however, found on many other plants. The British species may be divided as follows: in all cases, however, eh ar ; a careful comparison of the detailed descriptions is necessary :— ; I. Tarsal claws simple. (Meligethes, i. sp.) i. Anterior tibize very finely toothed, rather more dis- tinctly towards apex. 1. Colour black, with at most very slight traces of metallic lustre. : A, Legs light. a, Species large, black, oval, or broad oblong; punctuation and cross striation of elytra form- ing wavy lines; club of antenne dark. a*, Sides of thorax considerably contracted towards apex; thorax very finely and in- | distinctly punctured . . M. Ruripss, Gyil. b*. Sides of thorax only slightly contracted towards apex; punctuation of thorax fine but distinct . . . e « e's . « M. LumBanis, Sturm. b. Species smaller, rather narrow-oblong ; punc- tuation and cross striation of elytra not form- ing wavy lines; antenna entirely light . . M. FULVIPES, Bris. B. Legs dark; at most anterior tibie somewhat : lighter. a. Elytra unevenly and rugosely punctured with strong transverse striation between eee ; length under2mm. . . M. susrugosus, Gyll. b. Elytra evenly punctured with cross reticulas - oe between punctures; length at least 2mm. - Panctuation weak; cross reticulation be- ee een punctures delicate, ia on both : thorax andelytra . . . M. coractnvs, Sturm. . a b*, Punctuation rather strong; cross reticu- lation between punctures rather coarse and uneven, present on elytra only . . r M. corvinus, Zr. 2. Colour greenish or greenish-blue, sometimes pur- ple, with strong metallic lustre. A. Punctuation close, and comparatively weak. . M. mNEUS, F. . B. Punctuation more diffuse, and rather strong . M. VIRIDESCENS, F, ii, Anterior tibie very finely toothed from a little below base to beyond middle, with two or more conspicuously stronger teeth at or close to apex. ! | r fk “Me Kt ae ee ee, Fe & % q ke 7 Dl ee Melivethes. | CLAVICORNIA. 1. Upper surface without cross striation or reticula- tion between punctures, A. Black, or with dark brown reflection, very shining ; punctuation strong, and not very close, especially on elytra. a. Anterior margin of forehead emarginate. a*, Body long-oval; punctuation of elytra plainly stronger than that of thorax. af. Punctuation of elytra less diffuse ; metasternum of male with a tubercular prominence on each side of middle . . by. Punctuation of elytra more diffuse ; me- tasternum of male simple . . . b*. Body short-oval ; punctuation of "elytra not much stronger than that of thorax |. . b. Anterior margin of forehead straight. a*, Body short-oval ; colour shining black. at. Punctuation not much thea on elytra than on thorax . . . bt. Punctuation much stronger on “elytra than on thorax . b*, Body long-oval ; shining, with dark brown reHectiOn. ..6) 4. «\ B. Black, moderately shining ; punctuation close and fine, almost the same on elytra as on thorax. a. Male with the last abdominal segment simple. b. Male with the last abdominal segment fur- nished with a large smooth tubercle at apex 2. Upper surface with cross striation or reticulation between punctures; black, as a rule rather dull. A. Cross striation present on elytra only ; anterior tibize with two stronger teeth at apex, not sepa- rated by smaller teeth . . . . B. Cross striation or reticulation present on the whole of the upper-side. ° a. Thorax at base wider than elytra; anterior tibize with two to five stronger teeth at apex, of which two or three are usually larger than the rest; none, however, are very con- spicuous, and they are ag often almost obsolete . . 6. ats b. Thorax at-base.at. most as wide as elytra ; anterior tibie with three or four. conspicuously stronger teeth at apex, the last but one being usually the largest. a*, Punctuation closer and weaker ; upper sur- face doll) 00 Sr Are Sal lh Se b*. Punctuation stronger; upper surface shining. . . ° ° iii. Anterior tibiee without conspicuously stronger teeth at apex; as a rule, evenly and finely, although dis- tinctly, toothed for the greater part of their length, but often presenting irregularities, particularly as regards breadth of teeth. 1. Thorax entirely smooth between punctures; elytra R 2 M. DIFFICILIS, Heer. M. Kunzuz1, Hr. M. morosvs, Zr. M. MEMNONIUS, Zr. M. ocxropus, Sturm. M. BRUNNICORNIS, Sturn. M. yipvatus, Sfurm. M. PEDICULARIUS, Sturm. M. BIDENS, Bris, M. umBrosus, Sturm. M. rncanvs, Séurm. M. ovatus, Sturm. 244 CLAVICORNIA, with interstices smooth, or at most showing very faint traces of cross striation; forehead with an- terior margin straight ; colour black or leaden black. A. Anterior tarsi of male strongly dilated ; thorax only a quarter broader than ngs at least as broad aselytra . . . B. Anterior tarsi of male not or very slightly dilated ; thorax twice as broad as Jong, narrower than the base of elytra... o« » ‘ 2. Thorax and elytra with fine but very distinct cross reticulation between punctures; forehead with an- terior margin emarginate ; colour leaden black. . 8. Thorax quite smooth between punctures ; elytra with fine, though distinct, cross reticulation ; tore- head with anterior margin straight ; body with strong purple metallic reflection . iv. Anterior tibie serrate or pectinate for at least two. thirds from apex ; teeth often irregular, but always distinct and more or less strong. 1. Upper surface very scantily pubescent, entirely smooth between punctures ; legs lighter or darker brown; anterior tibize serrate. A. Anterior tibie dilated from above middle; thorax nearly as long as broads . . B. Anterior tibie not dilated from above middle ; thorax short, much broader thanlong . . . 2. Upper surface very thickly pubescent, thorax and elytra smooth between punctures, scutellum only with strong cross striation; legs black; anterior tibiee more or less pectinate . . y. Anterior tibiz very finely toothed, put with two or three distinct, though small, outstanding teeth, situated at some distance from one another, and separated by two or more smaller teeth. . 1. Upper surface shining black, with slight traces of cross striation between punctures; anterior tibie with two outstanding teeth; legs black, anterior tibie pitchy . mf 2. Upper surface dull black, with plain cross reticula- tion ; anterior tibiz with two outstanding teeth ; legs dark, anterior pair dark red. A. Forehead straight ; anterior tarsi of male very. strongly dilated . . . B. Forehead emarginate; anterior tarsi of male not strongly dilated. a. Male with a small transverse keel on the last abdominal segment . .. . . . b. Male with a very strong transverse keel on the last abdominal segment, divided by a broad semicircular excision into two divisions, each ending in a strong sharp tooth . . . . 8. Upper surface shining black, with very slight traces of eross striation ; anterior tibie with three short outstanding teeth, separated from one another by one or two smaller teeth ; legs dark, anterior tibis occasionally lighter . 1 . 4 6 6 ee [ Meligethes. M. Fuavipss, Sturm. M. prorpes, Sturm. M. ROTUNDICOLLIS, Bris. M. sympPuHyti, Heer. M. nants, Er. M. sERRIPEsS, Gyll. M. mMurinvs, Zr. M. tuevsris, Sturm. M. OBSCURUS, Er. M. eryrurorus, Gy/il. M. Bripentatus, Bris. M, exits, Sturm. . ee a et Meligethes.] CLAVICORNIA. 245 II. Tarsal claws toothed at base. (Acanthogethes, Reitter.) i. Thorax and elytra rather coarsely punctured ; upper surface shining, usually with a red spot on each elytron ; anterior tarsi of male not dilated; inter- SUNCOM MMOOU ta au, ee ue eh Tan wey MGA Te. Te Ue ii, Thorax and elytra finely punctured ; upper surface dull, unicolorous; anterior tarsi of male strongly dilated ; interstices with plain cross striation . . . M.soLtpus, Kug. M. Brevis, Sturm, MM. rufipes, Gyll. Broad, somewhat ovate, moderately convex, black, rather dull; the largest of our species; easily distinguished from all the others (except M. lumbaris) by its size, taken in conjunction with its red legs; smaller specimens closely resemble MW. lumbaris (which is the var. b of M. rufipes of Gyllenhal, Ins. Suec. i, 235), but may be separated by the shape and the finer punctuation of the thorax ; the first joint of the antenne in M, rufipes is light, in M. lumbaris more or less dark, and in the former species the margins of the thorax are broader and of areddish colour, whereas, in the latter, they are narrower and darker; the latter distinctions, however, although as a rule they hold good, are not always constant, and are apt to be misleading ; the anterior tibize in IZ. rufipes are sublinear, and very finely denticulate or crenulate. L. 23-35 mm. On flowers, especially hawthorn bloom in spring ; found also on Ranunculaceae, Rubi, Allium, &c.; very common and generally distributed in England and Wales as far north as Yorkshire, but rarer further north. Northumberland district, “ apparently rare” (Bold) ; Scotland, occasional; Dr. Sharp (Scottish Nat. iii. 373) says, “This species is perhaps not uncommon, but no localities are recorded for it,” ' There is a reddish variety of this species which has been taken at Hainault Forest (Power), and Highgate (Newbery); one of Dr, Power's specimens has the thorax and one elytron of the normal colour, with a slight greenish metallic tinge, and the other elytron of the colour of the variety. . M. lumbaris, Sturm (rufipes, var., Gyll. ef auct.), Considerably smaller than the average specimens of the preceding, rather shorter, narrower, and more oblong, with the thorax more distinctly punctured than elytra, first joint of antenne usually dark, and legs considerably stouter and of a darker colour, LL. 25-3 mm. On Umbellifere, broom, nettles, hawthorn, and other flowers ; local, but not un. common in many localities ; London district, rather generally distributed ; Bearstead Kent, on roses, particularly garden ones (Gorham) ; Southgate; Loughton; South- ampton, on Pulicaria dysenterica (Newbery) ; Knowle ; Repton; Chat Moss; North. umberland and Durham district, local ; Scotland, rare, Solway district. IM. fulvipes, Bris. (rubripes, Muls.). Oblong-ovate, black, occasion- ally with a leaden reflection, with short grey pubescence ; upper surface very finely punctured, with distinct cross reticulation between the punctures; legs and antenne light red or reddish-yellow, occasionally 246 CLAVICORNIA. [ Meligethes. rather darker ; anterior tibia: with very fine, almost imperceptible, teeth, which are slightly stronger at apex. L. 2-2} mm. In marshy places on Umbellifere, Genista, and Cracifer@; not eommon; Darenth Wood, Dagenham, Strood, Southend ; Hastings; North Devon ; Barmouth ; Askham Bog; not recorded from the extreme northern counties of England or from Scot- lund, The very plain cross reticulation between the punetures is a valuable character for this species; rubbed examples, at first sight, resemble M. picipes, but the longer shape and the very finely toothed anterior tibiw will at once distinguish them. IM. subrugosus, Gyll. A small species, ovate, rather convex, shining black ; antenne entirely black ; head and thorax thickly and finely punctured, the latter about a third broader than long, elytra rugosely punctured, with strong transverse striation, especially towards base; the front tibie are very finely crenulate, as in MM. corvinus, and are rather lighter than the rest, but all the legs are more or less pitchy- black or pitchy-brown. L. 13 mm. Only one British specimen of this species is known; this was taken by Dr. Sharp many years ago on the banks of the Water of Ken, Galloway, Solway district ; the insect occurs in many parts of Europe, not uncommonly in some localities ; in Germany it is widely distributed, but rare; it will probably Le found in Britain in some numbers. The peculiar rugose and wavy sculpture, which is nearest to, but quite distinct from, the sculpture of WM. rujipes, is the chief characteristic of this remarkable insect, which in some points resembles at first sight M. serripes. M. substrigosus, Er., is a variety of this species of not quite so deep black a colour, less convex, with finer cross striation, and with lighter legs and antenne, according to Erichson ; Brisout, however, says that they are darker than the type form. IM. coracinus, Sturm. Oblong-oval, black, rather dull, occasionally with a very slight greenish or bronze reflection ; punctuation of elytia and thorax close and fine, with very fine cross reticulation between punetures ; antenne black with the two first joints reddish-brown ; thorax rather variable in shape in the sexes; legs pitchy, anterior tibia rather lighter, very finely denticulate, rather more distinctly to- wards apex ; intermediate and posterior tibie straight or almost straight for two-thirds from base, and from thence sharply and obliquely cut off to apex. L, 2 mm. Not rare on the Continent, according to Brisout, on flowers of Galium and Prunus spinosa ; very rare in Britain ; Hampstead (Waterhouse) ; Darenth Wood (Rye) ; Mr. Blatch records it from Wicken Fen, Hunstanton, and Weymouth, in horned poppy and other flowers; dark examples of M. @nexs are often placed under this name in collections, and I have had several sent to me as this species; mistakes seem to arise from the fuct that I. coracinus is said to have a greenish reflection; it is, however, as Rea so very slight, that for all practical purposes the insect may be considered as . Meligethes.] CLAVICORNIA. 247 M. corvinus, Er. Ovate, shining black, convex; punctuation of elytra and thorax rather strong ; interstives of elytra filled with rather indistinct and coarse cross reticulation, of thorax nearly smooth ; legs and antenne black, tibiae somewhat thickened towards apex ; anterior tibie very finely crenulated, crenulations obtuse and hardly perceptible even under a considerable magnifying power. L. 25 mm. On Labiate ; very rare; Mickleham (Power) ; on Agraphis nutans and Melam- pyrum pratense ; Caterham, a few examples (Champion). IM. zneus, F. (lrassicw, Scop.). Oblong or oblong-ovate, shining, greenish or greenish-bronze, with rather thick and fine greyish pubes- cence ; antenne pitchy or blackish, with the first joint dark brown aud the second reddish-brown; thorax half as broad again -as long ; punctuation of upper surface rather close, with fine cross reticulation between punctures; legs pitchy, anterior tibies lighter, very finely serrated. L. 13-23 mm. V. coeruleus (M. ceruleus, Steph.). Of a blue or purple colour, with the elytra sometimes brownish ; pubescence very scanty. On various flowers, especially Crucifere and Ranunculacee ; very common and generally distributed throughout the kingdom ; the variety occurs with the type, but is rather rare. This species is very variable, and often gives rise to mistakes. M. Brisout says concerning it (Synopse du genre Meligethes, p. 10), “In the South of Europe, in Algeria, and in Syria it usually occurs with greyer and rather longer pubescence ; the posterior angles of the thorax are, as a rule, right ‘angles, but it is not uncommon to meet with ex- amples in Algeria and in Spain which have these angles obtuse or even rounded.” These remarks are worth quoting, as showing the difficulties that the genus occasionally presents, even in usually constant characters, and as tending to prove that several of the species which are now on slight differences regarded as distinct may. very likely be merely varieties or races of some other species. IM. viridescens, F. (virescens, Thoms.). Rather long, oval, shin- ing, greenish-blue, sometimes entirely green, rarely blackish; antenne red with club darker ; legs red, anterior tibize very finely serrated ; punc- tuation rather strong, with fine cross reticulation between punctures, which is plainer on thorax than on elytra ; the species may be known from M. eneus, with which it is often found in company, by its more elongate and oval shape, lighter legs, and stronger punctuation. LL. 2-3 min. On Crucifere, Ranunculacee, and other flowers ; very common and generally dis- tributed throughout the kingdom. MM. difficilis, Heer. Of rather long oval or oblong oval form, deep black, very shining, usually with a very slight greenish reflection; an- tenn reddish-brown, with the first two joints lighter ; punctuation 248 CLAVICORNIA. [ Meligethes. (listinct, that ‘of elytra strong, evidently stronger than on thorax ; an- terior legs yellow or reddish-yellow, posterior pairs slightly darker, with outside margins of tibia usually dark brown, rounded ; anterior tibia furnished at apex with three or four rather conspicuous sharp teeth ; male with metasternum strongly depressed, with a tubercular prominence on each side of the depression about the middle; the female presents the same characters in a less degree. L. 13-23 mm. Locally common on Labiate, especially Lamium album and Stachys sylvatica; it alzo is found on Symphytum officinale, &c.; London district, generally distributed ; Amberley ; Hartlebury; Repton; Lhangollen; Staffordshire; Cheshire; Lincoln ; Manchester district; not recorded from the extreme northern counties of England or from Scotland, M.- Kunzei, Er. Very like the preceding, but larger with the an- terior tibie less strongly toothed, the punctuation of the elytra rather more diffuse, and the first three joints lighter red, instead of two only ; the colour is black and never shows a trace of the greenish reflection which is often so noticeable in MM. diffcilis; the pubescence, which is very scanty, is whitish instead of blackish, as in the latter species ; the metasternum of the male, which is furnished with two conspicuous tubercles in M. dificilis, is in this species simple. L. 25 mm. On Lumium album, Stachys sylvatica, Agraphis nutans, Melampyrum pratense, and Mercurialis perennis ; rare; Chatham, Reigate, Mickleham, Caterham, Shirley, Horsell, Eistry ; Llangollen ; Repten; Cheshire; Manchester district. This species is by many authors considered a variety of the preceding ; if, however, we are to keep M, viduatus and pedicularius, and other species as distinct, we cannot but regard M. Kunzed as distinct also, if we have regard merely to the male characters. Iv. morosus, Ir. Aes B. Antenne of malea little more than half as long as body; thorax rounded before middle . . . UL. FERRUGINEUS, Steph. 2. Posterior angles of thorax obtuse. A. Elytra together about twice as long as broad, or less, unevenly striated; colour black, rarely Gatk Terr ginons sees <) a8. ¥ senate he ees B. Elytra together more than double as long as broad, evenly striated, colour ferruginous. . . L. CLEMATIDIs, Er. L. BIMACULATUS, Payk. L. PusinLvs, Schin. L. ATER, Ol. &.. bimaculatus, Payk. (unifasciatus, Latr.). Depressed, very shiny, bright reddish-testaceous, with a large black spot on each behind middle, which nearly meet at suture ; head large, thickly punctured, with a fine longitudinal line in middle, antenne very long and slender; thorax a little shorter than: broad, narrowed behind, posterior angles almost ‘——e —