Phyllobius, Polydrosus and Metallites. 15 



I think there is too close a resemblance in general habit and 

 affinity, as well as in the form of the head, and the analogous con- 

 struction of the antennse, between this and the insects of the pre- 

 sent genus, to admit of a generic separation ; it is therefore lo- 

 cated here, in accordance with the views of Schonherr, followed 

 by the continental entomologists. 



Rather common in woods and hedges from May to July. 



§ B. Femora simple. 



7. PhylloUus Pomona, Oliv., Germ., Steph. 



— uniformis et albidus, Steph. 



— obscurior, Kirb. MSS. 



M. Schonherr informed me that he considered this insect as not 

 sufficiently distinct from the following, and quoted from a letter 

 the opinion of Germar, that Pomona and uniformis were the same 

 species ; this I communicated to Germar, and he having pre* 

 viously received from me many specimens of both, remarked — 

 "Phyll. Pomonce, Germ., without doubt ; I am of yom* opinion that 

 it may be different from uniformis -." the two species are extremely 

 alike, but they are different in their habits, and I have never 

 taken them in company; they may also be separated by habit; I have 

 therefore always regarded them as distinct species. The differences 

 of form and sculpture are not very apparent, unless the extreme 

 varieties of each species are contrasted ; the shape of the thorax 

 is more uniform or less variable than in uniformis, and it is com- 

 paratively longer and narrower in proportion to the breadth, less 

 dilated at the sides, flatter above, and sometimes carinated in the 

 middle ; the elytra are also longer and narrower in proportion to 

 the breadth, and somewhat different in form : but it is imme- 

 diately distinguished by always having the breast and abdomen 

 more or less densely clothed with scales, whilst uniformis has the 

 same parts sparingly covered with fine short hairs ; both species 

 are exceedingly variable in size and in the colour of the parts of 

 the legs and antennae. 



Very abundant amongst grass in Hackney marshes and in 

 Yorkshire the latter end of June ; but never, according to my ex- 

 perience, on trees. 



8. P. uniformis. Marsh., Kirb. MSS., Schonh. 



— parvulus, Gyll., Steph. (non Fab. secund. Germ, et Schonh.). 



— minutus, Steph. 



— Pomonce, Schonh. Supp. vii. p. 35. 



This insect generally has the thorax shorter in proportion to 

 the length than the preceding, more dilated at the sides, and 

 more convex above, with a tendency (like P. argentatus) to the 



