Mnjaiite.ruHin.^ iiYnROPniLiD.i;. 261 



tlie emarginaiion of the anterior tibite is very strong, and at once dis- 

 tinguishes the species. L. 11-2 mm. 



Ill decaying vegetable matter, rotting fungi, dung, Sec. ; coniniou and widely 

 distributed. 



CRVPTOPLEUnUM, :\rulsant. 



This genus is remarkable for having the sides of the thorax broadly 

 rcflexed underneath and sharply angled in the middle of the margin of 

 tlie reflexed portion ; it contains five or six species from Europe, JSouth 

 Africa, IS'ortli America, and Ceylon. 



C. atomarium, Muls. {ininuUim, F.). Short oval, dull ; head and 

 thorax black, tliickly punctured ; antenn;eand palpi reddish or brownish- 

 nul ; elytra black with apex red, the reddish colour often extending some 

 little distance upwards towards base; at the shoulders also tliere are 

 often obscure lighter markings ; striae very strong, alniost sulcate, and 

 strongly punctured, so that the interstices appear somewhat raised ; in- 

 terstices thickly and rather strongly punctured ; legs reddish-testaceous : 

 the scidpture of the elytra will at once separate this species superficially 

 from all our species of Cercyon and Meyasternum. L. 1^ mm. 



lu decaying vegetable matter, dung, &c. ; common and generally distributed. 



