274 [October, 



b. Cliaunel of liead broader in front. 

 b'. Flank of elytra visible beneath. 



9. — HeloplioTus borealis Sahll). 



This little known species appears to be closely allied to H. mulsanti. 

 It is of elongate form, with the head and pronotum metallic ; the 

 channel of the vertex is only narrowly open in front ; the thoi'ax being 

 dark on the disc, but golden, or golden yellow, towards the sides, 

 and coarsely granulate, the sculpture, however, not deep, except on 

 the sub-external interval, the front margin unusually straight ; the 

 elytra are remarkably elongate, very coarsely and regularly scidptured, 

 the interstices strongly raised and with only excessively minute punc- 

 tuation and setosity. The flanks of the elytra are visible on the 

 under-surface, but are not so broad as in oblitus. In all these 

 characters it is closely approached by some of the varieties of 

 H. muhanti; H. borealis has, however, a larger development of the 

 labial palpi that distinguishes it beyond doubt, so far as the specimens 

 before me go. These, however, appear to be of the larger form that 

 Kuwert distinguished as var. qtiadricollis, and I entertain some doubt 

 as to whether they are the same species as the original borealis. 

 Sahlberg states that he found this large form in one locality only. 

 My specimens were sent me by him before var. quadricollis was 

 characterised. These specimens are 5 mm. long, while the length 

 given (from numerous examples) by the original describer was 

 1| mm. 



H. borealis is known only from Scandinavia, and the name is 

 abandoned by Zaitzev in favour of. })allidiis Grebl., which was described 

 from Siberia. As I do not feel convinced that this synonymy is 

 correct, I do not adopt it. The uncertainty that exists as to these 

 forms will be better realised by adding to the above remarks some 

 I shall make under the next two species. 



10. — Helophorus imdsanti Eye. 



This is a very variable species, and one about which much 

 obscurity still prevails. 



At Dumfries the species used to be found abundantly in the 

 brackish water pools of the Nith, and varies in my series from there 

 from 3| to 5 mm. long, the smaller specimens being males. The palpi 

 and antennae are yellow ; the thorax but little convex longitudinally, 

 moderately convex transversely, the front margin very little emargi- 



