30 [February, 



This extract, in conjunction with the subjoined summary of cha- 

 racters, will, I think, justify the erection of this western insect into a 

 separate species. The two forms may bo distinguished as follows : — 



M. uvida, Er. M. brevipes, ii. sp. 



Antennae and penultimate joint of max- Antennae and penultimate joint of max- 

 illary palpi proportionately longer, illary palpi proportionately shorter, 

 the former being entirely reddish- the former being pitchy, with paler 

 testaceous. base. 



Thorax not broader than long. Thorax distinctly broader than long. 



Dorsal segments of hind body having, Setae on dorsal segments scarcely per- 



in addition to the ordinary pubcs- eeptible. 

 cence, strong, erect sette, easily seen 

 in profile. 



Insect broader, with proportionately Insect narrower, with proportionately 



longer legs, which are more or less shorter legs, which are pitchy, with 



testaceous. testaceous tarsi 



When examined under the compound microscope, the alutaceous 

 sculpture of the upper surface of M. uvida is seen to be coarse and 

 distinct, giving the insect a rather dull appearance, but in M. hrevipes 

 it is not so evident, so that the insect is less shining. 



The greater robustness of M. uvida, and the longer legs and 

 antennae, are quite obvious, and distinguish it readily from 31. hrevipes. 

 The latter varies a good deal in size, some specimens being as long as 

 M. uvida, but the above distinctions always hold good. My Cornish 

 examples were found last August with M. sulcata, amongst the small 

 quantity of seaweed at Backw^ays. Cove, Tiuiagel {infra, p. 89). Besides 

 these, I have seen a good many specimens taken in Devonshire, and 

 kindly sent for my inspection by Mr. Keys and Mr. de la Garde, the 

 former from Plymouth and Slaptou, the latter from Dawlish. M. uvida, 

 as I have stated above, occurs in the Isle of Wight, from which locality 

 came also Erichson's type. Mr. Champion has it from AVhitstable, 

 Upnor (opposite Chatham), and Shoreham ; Mr. Newbery from Hayling 

 Island ; and Mr. Bedwell from Camber, near Rye, Sussex. Thus, accor- 

 ding to the British records already received, the two insects do not 

 overlap, but M. brevipes belongs to Devon and Cornwall, while J/, uvida 

 extends along the rest of the south coast from Hants to Kent and 

 the estuary of the Thames. The area of M. brevipes, therefore, 

 stands at present as Brittany, Jersey, and the two south-western 

 counties of England, while M. uvida is generally distributed, there 

 being records, besides those above mentioned, from South France, 

 Italy, and Dalmatia, and Mr. Champion has specimens from Malta 



