70 [August, 



little difference, if any, to be seen between tbem and larger specimens 

 of J/, erytliropus, tbe punctuation, &c., being almost identical. For 

 some time, in common with other Entomologists who had not seen a 

 male specimen, I felt some doubt as to the specific value of M. liden- 

 tatus, as the keel on the last abdominal segment of the male seems 

 occasionally to be divided in some species in which it is usually whole 

 {e. g. in M. luguhris) ; a short while ago, however, M. Brisout, with 

 his usual kindness, sent m.e a pair, and a cursory examination of the 

 extraordinary male characters at once proved it to be a very distinct 

 species. These are best described in M. Brisout's own words (/. c, 

 p. 27) : " Male — dernier segment abdominal, a son extremite, avec une 

 carene lisse, enorme, dirigee un peu obliquement en dessous, et pro- 

 fondement echancre en arc a son sommet, de maniere a faire deux 

 enormes dents triangulaires." The species occurs on Lotus. 



It would appear, on the whole, that, although this insect is pro- 

 bably British, yet more confirmation is required before it is added 

 finally to our lists ; if collectors of the group would carefully examine 

 all their supposed specimens of M. erythropus, it might soon be authen- 

 ticated beyond doubt. 



C. Upper surface shining black, with very slight traces of cross stria- 

 tion ; anterior tibiae with three short outstanding teeth, 

 separated from one another by one or two smaller teeth ; 

 legs dark, anterior tibise occasionally lighter. 



M. exilis, Sturm. — Ovate, rather convex, shining black ; punctuation close ; 

 pubescence very fine ; antennse dark brown with black club ; forehead emarginate, 

 with a very small tooth in the centre of the emarginatiou ; legs very dark, black or 

 almost black ; anterior tibiae with three short outstanding teeth, one above and one 

 below the middle, and a third at apex, separated by smaller teeth. Male with a 

 small curved keel on the apex of the last abdominal segment. Length, f — f lin. 



E-are. Mr. AVaterhouse once took a specimen in the courtyard 

 of the British Museum ; Galloway, Dr. Sharp ; Isle of Man, Eev. E,. 

 P. Murray ; Barmouth on Tlirincia Mrta (Lesser Hawkbit), Mr. 

 WoUaston ; Whitsand Bay, Cornwall, Mr. J. J. Walker : the largest 

 number of specimens, however, that has occurred to any one collector 

 was taken by Mr. Mason two or three years ago on EcJiium vulgare • 

 on Braunton Burrows, near Instow, N. Devon. According to M. 

 Brisout it is found on Pa'piJionacece. It is one of our smallest and 

 most distinct species. 



II. Tarsal claws toothed at base. 



i. Thorax and elytra rather coai'sely punctured ; upper surface shining, usually 

 with a red spot on each elytron ; anterior tarsi of male not dilated ; 



interstices smooth. 



i 



