NORTHUMBERLAND AND DURHAM. 173 



All authors from the time of Fabricius make A. dejoressus a 

 distinct species, Gjllenhal alone appearing to regard it as " vix 

 species distincta." Among the specimens with red elytra, varieties 

 of many intermediate hues occur approximating to the type of A . 

 nigripes, from which the puncturing does not vary in the slightest 

 degree. One of my specimens is marked by a black cloud round 

 the scutellum, and another cannot be distinguished from A. 

 nigri2:)es, excepting by a small red spot on each shoulder. This 

 variety is confined to wet moorland situations, which have a 

 similar influence on some other black species, as for instance, A. 

 Lapponum, A. ater, and A. granarius. These remarks apply 

 not only to the local specimens, but to the variety wherever it 

 occurs — J. H* 



21. A. LURiDus, Fah. 



Fab. Syst.El, i., 76. — Gyll Ins. Suec, i., 33. — Steph. Illust.y 



Mand., iii., 201. — Acrossus luridus, Mulsant, Col, de 



France, Lamell., 274, 3, (partim). — Aphodius nigripes, 



Heer, Fn. Col. Heh., i., 529. Var. b., c, d., e. 



« Twizell."— P. J". Selhy, Esq. Bradley Mill.— 7'. J. B. At 



the base of Cheviot, near Langleyford; Carr's Hill, and Gateshead 



Fell. — J. H. May and June. 



The puncturing of this is so distinct, that it is not easy to 

 account for its being referred to A. nigripes, or for that species 

 being ranked as a black variety of luridus. We have never seen 

 any specimens entirely black. 



SuB-G. 7. Melinopterus, Mulsant, 

 22. A. PRODROMUs, Brahm. 



Heer, Fn. Col. Helv., i., 525. — Melinopterus prodromus, 

 Mulsant., Col. de France, Lamell, 283, L — Aphodius 

 prodromus, Gyll. Ins. Suec, i., 36, (foem). — Steph. Illust., 

 Mand., iii., 203. — A. sphacelatus, Gyll. Ins. Suec, i., 37 

 (mas). — Steph. Illust, Mand., iii., 203. — A. marginalis, 

 Steph I.e. (mas). 

 Common, during greater part of the season. 



VOL. ri. PT. II. T 



