May, 1885.] 265 



Since writing the above I have heard from Herr Reitter, who 

 says, " M. pedicularius and viduatus are hardly different." I am glad 

 to have my opinion borne out by so high an authority, although there 

 is certainly cause for a difference of opinion on the subject. 



2. Upper surface with cross striation or reticulation between punctures ; 

 black, as a rule rather dull. 



A. Cross striation on elytra only ; anterior tibiae with two stronger 



teeth at apex, not separated by smaller teeth. 



M. hidens, Bris. — Rather like M. jjedicularius, but smaller ; narrower than that 

 species, less convex, less shining, and more finely punctured ; antennae brownish, 

 with the first two joints red ; legs dark brown, with the anterior tibiae ferruginous ; 

 elytra with weak cross striation, which is more evident at the base ; thorax nearly 

 double as broad as long, with the sides nearly parallel. This species is very easily 

 distinguished by the two conspicuous teeth at the extreme apex of the anterior 

 tibiae, which are widened towards apex. The male has the anterior tarsi rather 

 strongly dilated, and the metasternum with a rather wide and deep impression. 



Length, | — 1 lin. 



Local ; Mickleham, on Tencrium scoi^odonia ; Littlington, Birch 

 Wood, Bearstead, Caterham, Chatham, Amberley ; Scabiosa succisa, 

 Kingsdown, Mr. Newbery ; it occurs near Paris on Trifolium medium, 

 according to M. Brisout. 



B. Cross striation or reticulation on the whole of the upper side. 



a. Thorax at base wider than elytra ; anterior tibiae with two to 

 five stronger teeth at apex, of which two or threp are 

 usually larger than the rest ; none, however, are very 

 conspicuous, and they are very often almost obsolete. 



M. umhrosus, Sturm. — One of our largest species, in size equalling average 

 specimens of M. lumharis ; short and broad, convex, with very thick and fine punc- 

 tuation, which gives it a dull appearance ; pubescence close, usually grey, sometimes 

 blackish : anterior tibiae with several more prominent teeth towards apex ; these, 

 however, are not conspicuous, as in some of the allied species, and sometimes are 

 very weak and almost obliterated. The male has a small prominence on the meta- 

 sternum between the posterior coxae, and a little transverse keel at the extremity of 

 the last abdominal segment ; this character, however, is very variable in different 

 specimens ; it also has the anterior tarsi strongly dilated. Length, If — 14 lin. 



Not common ; on Genistce, wild Cistus, and HeliantJiemum vulgare ; 

 London district, very local, Dr. Power ; Eusper, Bearsted, Darenth, 

 Seven Oaks, Caterham, Chatham, New Forest, Shiere, &c. 



{M. maurus, Sturm, which is wrongly considered a British species — all its sup- 

 posed exponents being M. ovatus, Sturm — comes very close to 31. nmhrosiis, in fact 

 it is very hard to distinguish them, as in punctuation, armature of anterior tibiae, 

 &c., they are exceedingly alike ; M. maurus, however, is rather larger than 31. urn- 



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