252 THE entomolocjist's record. 



literature as exists on Irish coleoptera from the earliest records. They 

 point out that the only species which isalmost entirely confined to Ireland 

 is the var. subiotiimiata of Silpha atrata, which replaces the type in 

 Ireland, the only other place where this species has been found being the 

 Isle of Man. The following species are given as only occurring in Ireland 

 in the British Isles — Dyschirins obscuru>>, Demhidium anjenteolum, Stenus 

 ar<ie)it('lli(s, Xantliolinua cribripennis and Otiorrhynchus auropimctatxs. 

 The second, third and fourth of these species are brought forward as 

 British for the first time here, and we shall refer to them again later. 

 The Irish beetle fauna is shewn to be made up of three groups which 

 may be recognised by means of their European range. Group 1 

 consists of species which range over central Europe and the Mediter- 

 ranean region, but are rare or wanting in Scandinavia and northern 

 Europe. Group 2 is composed of species that are of northern 

 origin, a good many of which inhabit mountain districts. Group 

 H consists of species found almost exclusively in south-western Europe 

 and the ^lediterranean region. We notice a slight error in what is 

 stated of the distribution of one of the species in this third group, riz., 

 liJiojialiDiitsite^ tardyi. It is said to be " locally abundant in wooded 

 districts throughout Ireland, but in Great Britain it is confined to 

 Devonshire and the west of Scotland." It occurs, however, also, in the 

 south-east of England in the Hastings district, etc., having been taken by 

 ourselves at Pett. It is pointed out that not more than forty species in 

 this list have been introduced. The Bibliography is then given, and this 

 appears to be very complete, and is followed by an outline map of 

 Ireland, showing the provinces and county divisions. The list itself 

 consists of some 1630 species and is as complete as can be expected ,^ 

 since it is only in comparatively recent years that Ireland has been 

 systematically worked for beetles, and no doubt many additions will be 

 made before anything like a complete catalogue can be compiled. We 

 have the pleasure in another part of this magazine of adding a few 

 more species to the Irish List. Of the species new to the British 

 list, Beiiibith'iitn anit'vtcdliiiii is a very interesting addition. It was 

 first captured by Mr. .lohnson on the shore of Lough Neagh, in 

 1899, and referred to JJ. /lalKilosmn, but recently it was discovered 

 to be a difterent species. It may be known, however, by its larger 

 and more robust build and more shining iipper surface ; thorax 

 much broader than long, with the posterior angles sharp and 

 prominent. Our authors tell us it greatly resembles an Kla/'hriis 

 in life, both in its movements and general appearance. Xa)it/i<ilinii.-> 

 (■ribri/mun'x, Fauvel, is a species found in the cnnnties of Donegal 

 and Derry. It is closely allied to A. distans, a little larger, 

 with a pronounced bronze lustre, and the head more closely 

 punctured at the sides, etc. Stcnus jialjiosus, Zett. {antentelbis, Thoms.), 

 was also found on the shore of Lough Neagh (this locality, by the 

 way, appears to be most productive, one of the other species, rhy.sc/nri)(s 

 obscunis, confined to Ireland, being only found thei'e). Its nearest ally 

 is .S. bii/ditlidhiiKs, from which it may be distinguished by its larger size, 

 stronger pul)escence and shorter and stouter antenna'. It appears to 

 be a rare species on the continent. At the end of the list is an index 

 to the genera. Altogether we consider this a most useful, well-planned 

 and well -executed production. — Horace Donisthorpe. 



