74 COLEOPTERA. 



18. Choleva angustata, Fab. ; G. R. Crotch, '^ The En- 

 tomologist," vol. i. p. 322, 264. 



Mr. Crotch, following M. Brisout de Barneville (Gren. 

 Cat. Col. Fr. 8) proposes to adopt again, as separate species, 

 the different forms of this insect, first separated by Dr. Kraatz 

 on the shape of the coxae in the male, and afterwards re- 

 united by Murray. Mr. Crotch remarks that characters 

 drawn from these parts are confessedly inconsistent; but 

 being, as they are in this case, accompanied by other slight 

 but fixed differences, we cannot, he thinks, refuse to admit 

 these forms as species, though of a subordinate degree of 

 value to other species, or, as they have been termed in 

 botany, cognate species. I imagine that such gradations 

 will not be accepted so readily by Entomologists as by 

 Botanists; for the vegetable kingdom requires more subtle 

 shades of separation, on account of the liability of its species 

 to run into apparently permanent varieties, through different 

 systems of culture, accidents of soil, &c. 



Mr. Crotch admits that the general appearance is con- 

 siderably alike in the four species or forms of the insect now 

 being noticed ; but states that the male characters readily 

 separate them, and extracts from M. Brisout's notice the 

 following diagnoses : — 



1. C. Sturmiij Brisout. Abdomen with segments 2 — 4 

 marked with a slight impression ; posterior coxae short, 

 simple; femora with a small tooth before the middle. One 

 specimen, from Mr. Janson's collection, taken near London. 



2. C. angustata, Fab., Bris. Abdomen with segments 

 3 — 5 deeply impressed ; coxae short, pointed, inner margin 

 produced. Fern. Elytra terminated with a short spine. 



3. C. cisteloides, Frohl., Kr. Abdomen with segments 



