of the Genus Hydroporus. 473 



I regret much that I have had at present no means of comparing 

 the two together. In the cabinets of Dr. Power, Mr. "Waterhouse, 

 and the Rev. H. Clark. 



H. celatus, n. sp. 



H. oblongo-ovalis, leviter convexus, pimctulatus, nitidulus, uiger : capite 

 inter oculos bifoveolato, miuutissime pimctato, nigro, ad basin anguste 

 ferrugiueo:. thorace lateribus obliquis subrotundatis, marginatis, ad 

 basin transverse subdepresso et crebre punctate, antice stria transversa 

 punctorum una, plerunique baud inteiTupta, ad medium discum sparsini 

 punctulato vel pene impunctato : elytris ad latera subrotundatis, punc- 

 tulatis, striis duabus undique punctorum majorum a basi ad apicem : 

 antennis rufis, pedibus omnino rufo-flavis. 



Long. corp. If lin., lat. | lin. 



I have before me four examples, taken at three different localities, 

 of a form of Hydroporus, which are absolutely identical in shape, 

 size, and sculpture. The form is unregistered in our British lists, 

 and I am unable to assign it to any described species known on the 

 Continent. As, in such a veiy difficult section of the genus as that 

 to which this species belongs, any conclusions that are not based upon 

 careful comparison of authentic types are at best but inconclusive, 

 it is only perhaps provisionally that the species will stand as H. 

 celatus. My own belief is, having carefully examined descriptions 

 and. also examples of most of the species found on the Continent, that 

 it will prove to be as yet undescribed ; at all events, it is new to Great 

 Britain. In general form it closely resembles //, vittula, Er. It is 

 however, a much larger insect, the punctures on the thorax are less 

 regularly distributed (the base being deeply punctate, while the 

 medial surface is almost impunctate), the striae on the el^'tra are less 

 distinct (and only punctured strioe, not slight longitudinal depres- 

 sions), while the legs are entirely rufo-flavous, not suifuscd with 

 fuscous. From H. nlgrita, Fab., it may be distinguished, as well by 

 its much greater size, as by its less-coarse punctation, and by its 

 striae on the elytra ; in size, and glossiness of hue, and general 

 appearance it is very near to II. melanarlus, Sturm, (according to 

 examples in my cabinet) ; but it is in form more oval, not so parallel, 

 the punctures on the elytra are sliglitJy more fi-equent, and in this 

 latter species there are no traces of punctate striae ; it is broader, and 

 not so long as H. GijUenMlUi, Schiodte ; it is very like a large H. 

 pubescens, GylL, but with finer punctation and other minor differences. 

 Its position in our British cabinets should be between H. Gi/Uenhallii 

 and H. melcmarius. Among species not hitherto detected as British, 

 it would resemble most closely //. incertus, Aube ; this species, how- 



