584. J 143 



himself with them, and so avoid the confusion that is constantly occur- 

 ring : this also applies to other genera, like Meligethes ; in many points 

 the best authorities differ in their descriptions, and in some cases the 

 differences they point out may be appreciable in one specimen of a 

 series, but very difficult to make out in another ; when once, however, 

 the general distinctions have been grasped, the species as a rule are not 

 hard to determine. 



As regards the difference of size and colour, and the frequent 

 occurrence of pale examples of the species that usually have dark 

 markings, it must be remembered that Epurcea is a gregarious genus, 

 and that a number of specimens are usually found together unasso- 

 ciated with other species ; it is, therefore, very easy to determine them 

 in such cases. 



NiTiDULA, Fahricius. 

 I. Thorax entirely black. 



i. Elytra with yellow or reddish spots ; thorax with anterior margin straight. 



N. bipustulata, Linn. — Elytra of a dull black colour, with one well-defined 

 reddish-yellow spot on each, placed a little behind the middle ; antennae entirely 

 black, or dark red with black club ; legs red ; occasionally the margins of the thorax 

 and elytra are reddish-brown, and sometimes the whole body-colour is brownish ; 

 the punctuation, although fine, is stronger than in our other species, but differs 

 somewhat in the sexes, as does also the contour of the thorax, which is somewhat 

 more narrowed in front in the female than in the males ; the anterior margin of the 

 thorax is straight, with hardly a trace of emargination. Length, 1^ — 2? lin. 



Universally common under dead birds and animals, old bones, &c. 



N. quadripustulata, Fab. {carnaria, Schall.). — This insect, at first sight, in size 

 and colouring resembles some species of Epurcea ; the elytra are dark, with four 

 irregular light spots often confluent and forming bands ; antennse red with dark 

 club ; legs red ; punctuation of thorax fine but distinct ; anterior margin of thorax 

 quite straight. Length, 1 — 15 lin. 



This is the smallest of our species, and is rather variable as re- 



[Igards colour: Stephens' JV. variata is a pal.e variety; its habitat is 



I the same as that of the preceding species, but it is local and by no 



'means common — Hunstanton, Whitstable, Sheerness, Gravesend, 



Chatham, Darenth, Blackheath, Shirley, Weybridge. 



ii. Elytra without spots ; thorax distinctly emarginate. 



N. rujipes, Linn, (ohscura, Fab.). — Body entirely dull black, with very fine, 

 almost invisible punctuation ; antennse red with black club ; legs red ; elytra with 

 traces of striae. Length, li — 2^ lin. 



Habitat the same as the preceding ; very local, and by no means 

 I a common species ; Dr. Power has taken it in some numbers at Da- 



