ofiQ [November, 



Judging from my own collection, it appears probable that in the 

 United Kingdom, britteni is a northern, ericeti a southern, insect. 



In the Continental literature there is only one species recorded as 

 attached to Erica, and this I have already identified as the true ericeti* 

 H. britteni is remarkable on account of the greatly dilated basal joint 

 of the front tarsus ; while on the continent of Europe no species is 

 recorded as possessing this feature to so great an extent. It appears, 

 therefore, to be clear that H. britteni is a new species. 



The sexes exhibit much difference, and there is also considerable 

 variation among individuals of the same sex : a brief diagnosis follows : 



Metallico-viridescens, inter dum subaurata vel subsenea, prothorace nitido, 

 elytris sat fortiter punctatis. 



Mas, elytris nitidis ; artieulo basali tarsorum anticorum et inter mediorum 

 valde dilatato. Long., 3^ mm. 



Fern., elytris subnitidis. Long. 4J — <H mm. 



The species exhibits variation in the punctuation of the elytra of 

 the male, which in one individual is very much coarser than in the 

 others, and this specimen has the upper surface very polished and 

 shining, almost as much so as H. coryli. 



The female appears to be less variable as regards punctuation, but 

 in colour it is even more variable being sometimes dull black. 



The male may be easily discriminated from our other British 

 species by the basal joint of the front tarsus being about three times 

 as broad as the following one. The sedeagus is remarkably large, 

 broad, and becoming distinctly broader behind ; there is a well-marked 

 acumen on the tip of the hind margin. 



The female is much like ericeti § , but is always a little smaller, it 

 has a shorter thorax, less punctuation of the elytra, and shorter and 

 broader front tarsi ; the coloration is less brilliant, and the scutellum 

 never so striking in golden appearance. 



H. britteni appears to be no rarity in Scotland where it occurs 

 even north of the Grampians (Nethy Bridge) . On the great heaths 

 in Dumfries and Kircudbrightshire it is certainly not uncommon, and 

 could probably be found in plenty by special search. I have observed 

 it living on Erica about New Galloway, and on that occasion there 

 were a great many specimens on one plant (June, 1867), but I do not 



* Longieollis Allard, was said by him to occur on " bruyeres," and Weise says that longf 

 colli* AIL, is typical "oleracea" It cannot, however, be our " oleracc a " (= vltmnsu of this paper), 

 and in all probability Allard mixed more than one species under the name of longieollis. 



