1S7--M * 37 



none of whom, however, appear to have reeogiiised the union of so many divergencies 

 from the type iu a smaller race, though they admit a great variation in size by the 

 measurements given. My smaller individuals, in which the tarsi are shorter and 

 dark, the joints of the antenna; evidently shorter in proportion (the whole antenna 

 in some instances being very much abbreviated), the head is longer and not so wide 

 (not a $ character, as I have ^ showing this peculiarity), with a more evident smooth 

 medial longitudinal linear space, and the thorax is quite parallel-sided, appear in 

 some respects to come very close to 0. luganensis, Heer, dubiously considered as 

 distinct from morio by its author ; but Heer states the punctuation of the head of 

 this insect to be more delicate, and the thorax to have no medial longitudinal line, 

 characters uot appearing in my smaller race, of which, moreover, the Swiss author 

 omits the other and more important differences. Luganensis is now referred to 

 0. cerdo, Er., with which these smaller morio do not accord. In any of the smaller 

 Brachelytra, it seems to me that such discrepancies as those above mentioned would, 

 if constant, stand a very good chance of being accepted as of specific value. I make 

 the above remarks with the idea of directing attention to the subject, so as to dis- 

 cover if other Coleopterists find these differences in their specimens. 



Meligethes markubii, Ch. Brisout. — Of this species, hitherto unique as British 

 in Mr. Gr. R. Crotch's collection, I was so fortimate at the end of last month as to 

 capture a single example, by casual sweeping, within a hundred yards of my owu 

 door. Further and diligent searchings for more have as yet been unsuccessful ; per- 

 haps because I fail to find any Marrubium vulgare. Sweeping the allied Laniium 

 album, in blossom, has produced many iltf. diffi-cilis, memnonius, and Jlavipes, — species 

 neyer before observed by me so near London, probably from insufficient attention to 

 their food-plant. 



At the risk of being accused of undue repetition, but iu the hope of causing 

 other examples to be taken, I may observe that 31. marrubii is most nearly allied to 

 the somewhat rare M. serripes, but is more strongly and less closely punctm'cd, the 

 punctures being oblong, with a longer thorax, which is not nearly so strongly bi- 

 sinuate at the base, and with the anterior tibiae not evenly and rather finely serrate 

 externally, but exhibiting two large and sharp teeth near the base, then two or three 

 smaller, then a large tooth, and finally another small one at the apex. 



Meli&ethes corvixus, Er. — I am glad to be able to fully corroborate this 

 species as British. M. Brisout has returned me an example (belonging to Dr. 

 Power) as certainly referable to it, and Mr. Champion has recently taken three 

 specimens of it by sweeping at Catcrham, and for one of which I am much indebted 

 to him. 



Phalackus Humbektii, Touniier. — M. Kenri Tournier, of Geneva, who is 

 engaged upon a monograph of Olibrus and Phalacrus, has already recognised as a 

 good species under the above name the insect referred to in my recent description of 

 P. Brisoitti as a very smaU form of P. corruscus, and which appears to differ from 

 the latter, apart from its size, in the stronger piuu'tnation of its elytra and (lie club 

 of its antenna. 



I have communicated my .specimen to IM. Touniier, witli my type of i'. Brisou.ti, 

 which he confirms as a good anel distinct sp.xves. 



