14.0 [November, 



inoHncd to refer to 8. assimilis (Sohiipp), Erichs., Ins. Deutsch., iii., 10, 3. While 

 pointing out its characters, it may be of nso to some of our readers if I briefly note 

 also those of its allies ; both of wliicli are abundant in the fangoid growth on old 

 stumps, &C. 



8. agaricinum is gouorally deep black in colour, with the apical margin of the 

 elytra narrowly testaceous ; though varieties (possibly immature specimens) occur 

 which arc entirely pitchy-rcd, with the apex of the elytra testaceous. In shape ifc 

 is oblong-oval ; the regularity of its outline being only broken by the somewhat 

 sudden contraction of the hinder half of its abruptly truncated elytra, which are 

 rather closely and delicately (but usually somewhat sharply) punctured. Its 

 antennso (as in the other species) have the seventh, ninth, tenth, and eleventh joints 

 thickened ; the seventh being scarcely so wide as the three last, and the eighth 

 very small, barely a thu-d as largo as the ninth joint. 



The punctuation of the elytra alone does not always afford a safe diagnosis for 

 this species, as it appears to vary somewhat in strength and closeness. 



S. holeti is pitchy-red ; with the thorax shorter and moro contracted in front 

 than in 8. agaricinum, and the elytra rather wider in the middle, with the sutiu'al striaj 

 more evident, and the punctuation coarser and not quite so close. Its antennao, 

 also, have the seventh joint rather wider than the three apical joints, and the eighth 

 more than half as large as the ninth. 



8. assimilis, from Erichson's description (loc. cit.), appears to resemble 8. 

 agaricinum in size and shape, but to differ from* that species in having its elytra 

 more thickly punctured and pitchy -black, with the apical half and lateral margins 

 reddish-brown : the coloration, however, seems sometimes to come very close to 

 that of 8. agcmcinum. 



The antennae, also, have the seventh, ninth, tenth, and eleventh joints equal, 

 and narrower and more attenuate than in that species ; the eighth being scarcely 

 shorter, and but a little thinner, than any of these joints. 



From jS. holeti it may be known by its narrower build, longer thorax, darker 

 colour, and more thickly punctured elytra, which have the sutural striae moro 

 distinct, and the suture itself broadly keeled ; also by the seventh joint of its 

 autennce not being wider than the rest. 



In colour, punctuation, suture, sutural striaj, and structure of the antennso, my 

 insect agrees with these characters of 8. assiinilis ; but it is rather larger than 8. 

 agaricinum; and I fail to perceive any narrowness, as compared with 8. boleti, 

 beyond a slight flattening of the oval outline, between the hinder angles of the 

 thorax and the middle of the elytra : the other points, however, are so marked as to 

 leave little or no doubt in my mind as to its being 8. assimilis. 



Thomson (Skand. Col., iv., 127, 2) states that the elytra of this species are 

 " minus crehre punctatis," which is not in accordance with Erichson's diagnosis; and 

 his remark (loc. cit., p. 128) that the seventh joint of the antennae is scarcely less 

 than its neighbours, is clearly meant to apply to the eighth joint. 



S. limhata, Dahl., Er., not yet recorded as British, is considerably larger than 

 any of the other species : and has the thorax more distinctly punctured. Its elytra 

 also, which are broadly margined with testaceous at tlie apex, are thickly and 

 strongly pnnctured ; and the eighth joint of its antennao is of similar relative size 

 to that of ~S. assirmlis and 8. holeti. 



