Orthebius.] iiYiiuoriiir.iD.i:. 245 



O. marg-ipallens, Latr. (pmiU /(.<;, Steph.). Oval, moderately 

 convex ; upper surface dark bronze with a more or less distinct greenisli 

 reflection ; thorax transverse, gradually contracted to base and furnished 

 along both sides with a narrow memliranous border that becomes gra- 

 dually wilier to base, with a central furrow and a transverse inipressiou 

 above and belOw, the latter often irregularly widened, and rather shallow 

 and indistinct ; elytra hardly broader than thorax with moderately 

 strongly punctured strite, interstices rugose ; legs reddish testaceous. 

 L. Ij mm. 



Locally alniiidaut ; occurs cliicfly, but not always, in brackish ditches ; Whitstahle, 

 Shoeniess, Gravesend. Hanwell, Lcwishaiii, Itainhani ; Uoguor; Pcirwell Bay ; Bar- 

 mouth and North Wales ; apparently not I'ouiid in the north of England, or in 

 bcotlaud. 



O. marinus, Payk. (var, jiaUidus, Dej.). Oblong, moderately 

 convex ; head and thorax green or brassy-green or coppery ; the latter 

 transverse, with margins sometimes testaceous, with a membranous 

 border narrow in front and wider behind, marked on disc with a central 

 fuirow and a transverse impression in front and behind ; elytra ]'ather 

 long, wider than thorax, reddish brown or castaneous, sometimes with a 

 metallic reflection, with ten punctured strite on each, the punctures 

 being moderately strong and almost sipiare ; in the lighter examples the 

 siri;e aie hardly ajiparent ; legs testaceous. L. 1^- mm. 



Brackish ditches; rather common and widely distributed alonjr the sea coast; not 

 so common in the north ; Scotland, local. Forth and Solway districts. 



O. aeneus, Steph. Ovate, very shining ; head and thorax of a 

 brilliant metallic golden or golden-coppery colour, margins of latter 

 reddish testaceous ; thorax rather dilFusely, punctured with sides con- 

 tracted towards base, posterior angles excised and hlled with membrane ; 

 disc with a central furrow and no other distinct impressions ; elytra 

 rather broad, widest behind middle, of a"light brown or testaceous colour 

 with brassy reflection, punctured striae rather Aveak ; apex of elytra 

 somewhat acuminate ; legs testaceous. L. 1 f mm. 



Rare; taken by Dr. Power at Birdbrook (Essex), Cowley (near Uxbrirlfre), Han- 

 well, and HorscU, also by Mr. Blatch in the Isle of Wight ; it has also occurred at 

 I'utncy and Woking; it is found in stagnant fresh-wat,er ditches. 



O. pyg-maeus, F. {impressus, Marsh). Ovate, dark bronzi\ Avith a 

 slight greenish reflection ; thorax transverse, strongly punctured, narrowed 

 behind, posterior angles rather narrowly excised and tillinl with mem- 

 brane, marked on disc, as in the preceding species, with a central furmwr 

 and no other distinct impressions ; elytra oval, widest behind middle, 

 Avith a rather strong lateral margin, punctured stri;e strong, interstices 

 rugose ; legs reddish testaceous. L. Ij mm. 



stagnant ponds and ditches; the commonest species of the genus ia the Alid- 

 lands and south of England ; not so common, apparently, I'urther nirth ; Scothnui 

 local, and found as yet only near the ^oast, Tweed, Forth, and Solwsiy disttict-i : 

 as a rule, it is by uo means a maritime insect ; it is easily liistinguished from the 



