NofirqJiilus.] ADEPHAGA. 13 



pore, and anotlior near apex ; antenna; and legs pale fcrraginous, base of 

 former li;^^hter than the remainder. L. 4^ mm. 



lliire. London district : Higligatc, Lewisham, Shirley, Cireenwich Park, Darontb, 

 Graveseud ; Coombe Wood ; Reigatc ; Tonbridge ; Waltou-oii-Naze ; Colchester. ; 

 Haustauton. 



IiEISTUS, Frohlich. 



The species of Leishis as a nile inliabit cold and mountainous coun- 

 tries, although some are found in warmer latitudes ; they are found at 

 tlio roots of trees and under stones and bark, and are often taken by 

 sweeping in damp places ; their most notable characteristic is the 

 jieculiar formation of the maxilla? and ligula, the latter being prominent, 

 narrowed at the top, and then trifurcate. We possess about a quarter of 

 tho European species. 



The larvffi of Leistus rttfomarfjinatus, rufescens, and ferrugineus, and the pupa of 

 L. rvfescens, arc figured by Schiiidte (iii., PI. xv. Fig. 1, 2, 7, 10). The bead is large 

 witli long and slender mandibles, and is joined to the thorax by a narrow neek ; 

 the clypeus is produced into a strong bifurcate horn, bearing spinous processes; the 

 prothorax is longer than broad, narrowed in front ; the dorsal shields of the meso- 

 and mcta-thorax are very convex with large muscular impressions, those of the 

 abdominal segments flatter with a small round impression on each side; the anal 

 process varies in the species, being larger in L. rufescens than L. spinibarbis ; the cerci 

 and legs are long and ratlier slender ; the colour varies in the several species, bein"- 

 pale, with the shields more or less dark, with or without a metallic reflection. 



I. Upper side metallic (bluish or greenish). 

 i. Lateral margins of thorax broad. 



1. Extreme edge of lateral margins of thorax red . . L. spixibaebis, F. 



2. Lateral margins of thorax entirely red L. montanus, Step//. 



ii. Lateral margins of thorax narrow L. fulvibakbis, D/-/. 



n. Upper side not metallic (reddish or pitchy). 



i. Head and thorax concolorous L. FERRroiNEUS, L. 



ii. Head black L. rufescens, F. 



Xi. spinibarbis, F. Droad and rallier flat ; colour bright blue, 

 sometimes Avith a greenish tinge ; thorax Avith the sides dilated and 

 rounded in front, contracted behind, Avith a distinct impressed central 

 line, disc smooth, margins all punctured ; elytra Avide, rounded at apex, 

 Avith deep punctured strise ; underside black, legs black, tarsi red ; in 

 immature examples the legs and margins of thorax am entirely red. 

 L. 8 mm. 



Widely distributed throughout the country, in the northern as well as the 

 midland and southern districts; not recorded in the Scotch list; Ireland, near 

 Belfast. 



Ii. montanus, Steph. Very like the common L. fulviharlns, but 

 known at once by its more elongate structure, and especially 1iy tlie form 

 of the thorax (fig. I)aAv.<on, Geod. Brit, i.. Fig. 5), Avhich is narrower, 

 more depressed and elongated ; tlic lateral margins .are Avider and are 

 entirely red ; the elytra are brighter Ijlue, longer in pi'ojiortion, Avith 

 sides more parallel, and more linely .^^triated and punctured; legs red, 

 dusky at apex of femora. L. 7 mm. 



