1876.] 225 



On the names of some British species of PselapJiidcB and Scydmcenidm. — Some 

 few montli3 ago, I sent to M. F. de Saulcy, of Metz, several British species of these 

 families, about whose correct names I entertained some doubts. M. de Saulcy has 

 been for some time engaged on a revision of the European species of these groups of 

 Coleoptera, and tlio first division of his work has already been published, so that his 

 opinions are of considerable importance. I therefore give below the names imder 

 which he returned my specimens, and have added some remarks of my own, which 

 may help, perhaps, to throw some light on M. do Saulcy's names. 



1. Tychus niger. — This specimen is a variety small in size and with red elytra, 

 and is possibly the form recorded formerly by Mr. Crotch in his Catalogue of British 

 Coleoptera as Tychus ibericus. 



2. Batrisus venustus. — I had some doubts whether this name was correct for 

 our species, as some of the continental species are extremely similar. 



3. Bryaxis cotits, n. sp. — This is the species taken in this neighbourhood by me, 

 and distributed under the name of Bryaxis Lefebvrei ; but, as I had become con- 

 vinced that it was thus named by error, I sent it with the MS. name Bryaxis cotus 

 to M. de Saulcy, who confirms my opinion of its being as yet uncharacterized, and 

 win describe it under the name I have proposed. B. Lefehvrei was originally recorded 

 as British in Mr. Waterhouse's Catalogue of British Coleoptera; and, though I have 

 net seen the individual insect to which Mr. Waterhouse's record referred, I think it 

 very probable that it wLLl also be found to be a specimen of Bryaxis cotus. 



4. Euplectus Abeillei. — My two individuals, one of which is thus named by 

 M. dc Saulcy, I captured some years ago at Mickleham. 



5. Euplectus piceus. — I have found this species in the New Forest, and in one or 

 two localities near Loudon. 



6. Euplectus Duponti. — I am indebted to Mr. R. Lawson for this species : it was 

 found by him not very long ago near Scarborough. 



7. Euplectus punctatus. — My only individual of this species was given me some 

 years ago by Mr. Crotch, under the same name as that assigned to it by M. do Saulcy. 



8. Trimium brevicorne, S . — Taken by Mr. Lawson at Scarborough, 



9. Trimium brevicorne, $ . — Taken by Mr. Lawson, and named in British col- 

 lections as Trimium brevipenne. 



10. ScydmcBnus Sharpi. — For this species I am also indebted to Mr. Lawson ; 

 the few specimens of it taken by him have been named, I believe, S. rubicundus. 



11. Scydmmnus ylyptocephalus, De Saulcy. — This is the insect given mo by Mr. 

 Crotch as S. carinatus, and recorded by mo under that name in my Catalogue of 

 British Coleoptera. 



12. ScydmcBHus Sparshalli. — This individual I had considered to belong to the 

 speciea described by Mr. Rye aa Scydmcenus prateritus. 



13. ScydmcBnus helvolus. — This species was named S. Sparshalli in my collection, 

 but I have for long suspected that there existed a confusion as to this name ; and 

 IMr. Eye, in describing S. praiterilus, has pointed out the evidence which leads him 

 to consider that this is really the -S'. Sparshalli of Denny : whether De Saulcy be, or 

 be not, acquainted with Mr. Rye's opinion, I do not know.— D. Sharp, Thoruliill, 

 Dumfries ; January 21th, 1876. 



[I have at once sent M. do Saulcy a copy of the No. of this IMagazine containing 

 my observations above mentioned ; and will make known his reply. — E. C. R] 



