1S86.J 207 



duty in collections for E. nigricans, but no one who has seen the two beetles can 

 possibly confuse them, except through carelessness. Compared with JE. nigricans, 

 sanguineus is smaller and lighter coloured, head not so short in proportion to its 

 width, temples longer and not so strongly rounded off behind, and the antennse 

 shorter. Thorax and elytra similarly formed, punctuation of latter feebler. Depres- 

 sions at base of abdomen very deep, sides nearly parallel, and not extending so far 

 backward as in E. nigricans. $ with a spur at apex of intermediate tibise only, 6th 

 Tcntral abdominal segment emarginate at apex and with a deep depression in middle. 

 Abundant in hot-beds. I once found a few specimens in Sher- 

 wood Forest amongst debris under decaying logs, but never under bark. 



3. E. BICOLOR, Denny, Mon. Psel., p. 17. pi. 2, fig. 3 ; Waterhouse, loc. cit. JBiblo- 

 porus hicolor, Thoms., Scand. Col., 1861, tab. iii, p. 225. 



Long., 1"1 — 1-2 mm. Pitch-black, mouth, antennro and legs pale reddish- 

 yellow. Head small, narrower than thorax, temples very short, the four large 

 punctures arranged in the form of an oblong placed transversely, front margin not 

 depressed. Thorax with a curved longitudinal groove on each side, basal fovese not 

 connected by a transverse groove. Dorsal strise on elytra short. Depressions at 

 base of first two abdominal segments very shallow, bounded on each side by a 

 slightly raised, smooth and shining, triangular space. Intermediate femora of S 

 much enlarged and armed with a small sharp tooth at base, middle tibiee dilated in 

 the form of a strong triangular tooth ; 6th ventral abdominal segment widely semi- 

 circularly emarginate. Metasternum widely and deeply channelled in both sexes, 

 but most strongly in ^ . 



I have met with this singular little species in many localities in 

 the Midland Counties, sometimes in profusion. Very abundant in 

 Hopwas Wood near Tamworth, under bark of oak trees infested (and 

 in process of destruction) by Bhagium inquisitor, Sutton Park, Cannock 

 Chase, Bewdle}^, Sherwood and Dean Forests, always under bark. It 

 affects not only oaks, but birch, beech and other trees. 



II. Abdomen without any distinct depressed area at base of first two dorsal ab- 

 dominal segments ; dorsal strise on elytra very short or entirely absent. 



A. Elytra with short dorsal strife. 

 1. E. NiTBiGENA, Reitter, Best. Tab. Eur. Col., v, p. 522 (1881). 



Long., 1'5 — 1"7 mm. .A narrow, elongate species. Shining reddish-yellow, 

 palpi, antennae and legs paler ; pubescence yellow, scanty, much longer at apex of 

 abdomen than on rest of body, a few stronger hairs or bristles placed at intervals. 

 Head rather large, widest behind, with two small deep punctures near base, about 

 equidistant from each other and from sides, from each of which emanates a deep 

 groove, these unite in front, forming an inverted Uj ^^d enclose a rather extensive 

 raised area very smooth and shining ; eyes small and inconspicuous. Antennae 

 rather long and slender, Ist joint a little darker than the rest. Thorax rather con- 

 vex, broadest before middle, rounded in front, much narrowed behind, base finely 

 bordered, a small deep fovea on each side some distance from base, and midway 

 between this is a crescentic fovea, with only an extremely indistinct connecting 



