1835.J 219 



h. Elytra evenly punctured with cross reticulation between punc- 

 tures ; length at least one line, 

 cj-. Punctuation weak ; cross reticulation delicate, present on 

 both thorax and elytra. 



M. coracinus, Sturm. — Oblong-oval, black, rather dull, occasionally with a slight 

 greenish or bronze reflection ; punctuation of elytra and thorax close and fine, with 

 very fine cross reticulation between punctures ; thorax rather variable in shape in 

 the sexes ; legs and antennae pitchy ; anterior tibise rather lighter, very finely toothed, 

 rather more distinctly towards apex; posterior pairs of tibiae straight or almost 

 straight for two-thirds from base, and from thence sharply and obliquely cut off to 

 apex. Length, 1 lin. 



Not rare on the continent, according to M. Brisout, on flowers of 

 Galium and Prunus spinosa ; very rare in Britain ; only three or four 

 authentic examples are known ; of these I have two before me, one in 

 Mr. Eye's collection with no locality attached, and another which has 

 been kindly sent me by Mr. "Waterhouse, which he tells me was taken 

 at Hampstead ; the latter specimen is a little more strongly punctured 

 on the elytra than Mr. Kye's and foreign specimens that I have seen, 

 and shows the greenish reflection, which, as a rule, is almost entirely 

 absent. I at first thought that this example might be referred to M. 

 subceneus, Sturm, but, on comparing it with a type sent me by Herr 

 Eeitter, I find that M. subcdneus, although very close to it, is more 

 strongly punctured, and has the thorax more contracted in front ; 

 specimens of so-called M. coracinus are in many collections, but they 

 are usually rather dark examples of M. ceneus. I have had several 

 of these sent to me as coracinus ; the mistake is due to the fact that 

 M. coracinus is said to have the greenish reflection : it is, however, as 

 a rule, so very slight, that for all practical purposes the insect may be 

 considered as black. Its very much finer punctuation, and the shape 

 of the posterior pairs of tibiae, serve at once to distinguish it from 

 M. ceneus, with which, however, it need hardly be compared by any 

 one who has seen a true example. 



/3. Punctuation rather strong ; cross reticulation between 



punctures rather coarse and uneven, present on 



elytra only. 



M. eorvinus, Er. — Ovate, shining black, convex ; punctuation of elytra and 



thorax rather strong ; interstices of elytra filled with rather indistinct and coarse 



cross reticulation, of thorax nearly smooth ; legs and antennae black, tibies somewhat 



thickened towards apex ; anterior tibiee very finely crenulated, crenulations obtuse 



and hardly perceptible under a considerable magnifying power. Length, IJ lin. 



On LabiafcB, very rare ; Mickleham, Dr. Power ; on AgrapUs 



nutans and Melampyrum pratcnse, Caterham, Mr. Champion. It is 



easily separated from the preceding species by its general contour, 



larger size, deep black shining colour, and stronger punctuation. 



('To he continued^. 



T 2 



