20 On the genera Phyllobius, Polydrosus and Metallites. 



9. Polydrosus cervinus, Linn., Marsli., Gyll., Germ., Steph., 

 Schonh. 



— melanotus, Kirb. MSS., Steph. 



Cure, melanotus of Kirby, according to his collection, is a small 

 green variety of tbis insect, with tbe legs black and the tarsi dull 

 piceous j the scales on the upper surface are abraded. 



This is a common and well-known insect, and found abun- 

 dantly on the young shoots of the oak and birch in woods during 

 the months of May and June. 



Genus Metallites, Schonh., Germ., Latr, 



" Gen. Char. — Antennae somewhat short and stout ; the scape 

 clavate, slightly curved, overhanging the eyes ; the basal joints of 

 the funiculus rather long obconic, the rest nodose ; the club ob- 

 long-ovate, acuminate. Rostrum short, narrower than the head, 

 somewhat flat above, parallelopiped. Eyes small, rounded, rather 

 prominent. Thorax either subtransverse or oblong, the base and 

 apex truncated, moderately rounded at the sides, a little narrow- 

 est in front. Elytra oblong, suboval, their base when united 

 subemarginate, the shoulders either obtusely angular or slightly 

 rounded; a little convex above. Legs nearly equal; thighs 

 toothed or simple. 



" Ohs. — Body oblong, scaly, furnished with wings ; of small 

 size. Allied to the genus Polydrosus, but differing in the struc- 

 ture of the rostrum and antennse.^^ — Eoctracted from Schbnherr. 



This genus was established by Schonherr, and subsequently 

 adopted by Germar and Latreille ; at present it contains eight 

 European species, one of which inhabits this country. I possess 

 foreign specimens of Metallites mollis of Germ., and M. atoma- 

 rius of Oliv., presented to me by Dr. Germar. 



These insects differ from those of the genus Polydrosus in 

 having the antennse and its articulations considerably shorter, 

 more robust, and of a dissimilar form ; the eyes smaller, and the 

 thorax elongate. 



1. Metallites marginatum, Steph. 



— ambiguus, Schonh. 



Birch Wood was for some years the only known locality for this 

 insect, where it is found abundantly on the juniper and other 

 plants in May and June ; but the zeal and industry of Mr. S. 

 Stevens discovered it in Windsor Forest and Black Park near 

 Uxbridge, on the young shoots of the birch, oak, &c. 



