RETROSPECT OF A COLEOPTERIST FOR 1908. 25 



Retrospect of a Coleopterist for 1908. 



By Prof. T. HUDSON BEARE, B.Sc, F.E.S.E., F.E.S. 

 I have this year to note the largest increase to our list for many- 

 years, though, I may say frankly at once, I am of opinion that some of 

 these additions will not stand the test of time. In view of the unusual 

 length of the retrospect of last year, I propose to condense considerably 

 my remarks on this occasion in reference to most of the additions, 

 which I will now take in order. 



NutiopJiilns pKsilliis, Wat. ( = bi(/e)m)U(s, Th.), introduced by Dr. Joy, 

 Evt. Mo. Mafi., xliv., p. 103. As I write this article, the January 

 number (1909) of the above journal has appeared, and Dr. Joy, on 

 page 12, withdraws this addition. 



XotiophilKs liijpocrita, Spaeth., introduced by Dr. Joy {loc. cit., p. 

 103) ; this species (?) is not recognised by Ganglbauer, and I agree 

 with Mr. Champion that it " is a very dubious species, and scarcely 

 more than a variety." 



Droniius am/ustiis, Brulle. — Mr. Champion (loc. cit., p. 125) 

 introduces this species on specimens taken in July 1906 at Woking, 

 under bark ; it is perhaps mixed with ))iendionalis, Dej., in our 

 collections. 



LaccobiKs piirpiirascens, sp. n. — Mr. Newbery described this insect 

 (loc. cit., p. 30) as new to science from specimens taken by Mr. de la 

 Garde, in May, 1906, at Shaldon, Devon ; it has also been taken by Mr. 

 Champion and Mr. Keys in Devonshire. The describer gives no 

 structural characters to separate it from nii/riceps, Th., and I am of 

 opinion that it is not entitled to specific rank, and that it is a mere 

 colour variety. 



Helephorus porculus, Bedel. — This species, which had already been 

 recorded as British, has now been definitely brought forward by Mr. 

 Newbery {loc. cit., p. 88) ; it has been confused with riigosus, 01. I 

 have this summer taken it at Nethy Bridge. 



HelepJiorttsf/riseus, Hbst.— Mr. Edwards {loc. cit., p. 218) has worked 

 out a fresh table for the identification of this extremely diflficulfc genus, 

 and has given some notes as to the distribution of the species in this 

 country ; as far as 1 can make out, he has added the above species to 

 our list — he states that brevipalpis, Bedel, and //riseiis, Hbst., are 

 equally common. Canon Fowler {Col. Brit., vol. i., p. 239) gives the 

 latter insect as perhaps a synonym of brevicollis, Thoms. 



Aleochara crassiusctila. Sahib. — Taken by Mr. West at Yarmouth 

 and at Lewisham, also by Mr. Walker at Oxford, and introduced by 

 Mr. Champion {loc. cit. p. 194), who says it is closely allied to 

 tristis, Gr. 



Oxypoda perple.ra, Muls. — Dr. Joy states {loc. cit., p. 51) that he 

 has submitted specimens of an O.vi/poda, taken by himself in rabbit- 

 burrows at Streatley, to Capt. Deville, who thinks they are the above 

 species, though " he will not absolutely commit himself to them." 

 Dr. Joy appears to have no doubt as to the correctness of the 

 identification. In view of the fact that it was a species unknown to 

 Ganglbauer, it is a pity Dr. Joy did not go to the original description 

 given by Mulsant and Rey — according to these authors e.voleta, Er., is 

 by no means confined to the coast. 



Calodera protensa, Man. — This species has been taken by Mr. 

 February 15th, 1909. 



