374 PHYTOPHAGA. [ Spheeroderma. 
tarsi is more strongly dilated ; the average size is a little smaller; the 
punctuation of the thorax is, as a rule, stronger, but this character can- 
not be depended upon, as it is very variable in specimens belonging to 
the same species ; the femora are rather stouter than in S. testacea, and 
the tibiz are almost straight. L. 24-35 mm. 
On thistles, Centaurea nigra (Knapweed), &ec. ; less common than the preceding, 
but very widely distributed throughout the greater part of the kingdom, especially 
near or bot far from the coast ; both the species appear to be less common far inland. 
APTEROPEDA, Redtenbacher. 
The species belonging to this genus may be at once known by their 
subglobose, almost hemispherical form, and dark and more or less 
metallic colour; the mouth parts are free and not covered by the 
prosternum, and the elytra are punctured in rows ; the legs are moderately 
long, and the posterior tibiz are deeply channelled above, and more or 
less distinetly dentate or pectinate externally towards apex, and are 
furnished with a strong spur at apex; only five species appear to have 
been described, of which four are found in Europe, and the fifth in Asia ; 
three occur in Britain; they are very closely allied, and are somewhat 
hard to distinguish. 
I, Interstices of elytra very finely, but distinctly punc- 
tured; upper surface fees bright bronze, strongly 
metallic . . . . BP Hay CP TUL! Mice Aira) Ie . A. oRBICULATA, Marsh. 
(graminis, Koch.) 
II. Interstices of elytra scarcely punctured ; upper sur- 
face scarcely, or not strongly, metallic. 
i. Thorax finely but thickly and distinctly punctured ; 
eee pitchy black, with a slight metallic reflection A. GLoBosa, Ill. 
. Thorax very finely ‘punctured, almost smooth ; colour 
aliieh: black = = <P Gouie) | cooks)! a glee) AGSELENDIDAN ALT: 
A. orbiculata, Marsh. (graminis, Koch; ciliata, Ol.).  Ovate- 
hemispherical, gibbose, of a bright bronze or greenish- bronze metallic 
colour, rarely bluish, under-side nigro-zneous ; head distinctly punctured, 
antenne rather short and stout, “ferruginous, often infuscate towards 
apex; thorax twice as broad as long, narrowed in front, not margined at 
base, covered with fine and rather closely set punctures ; elytra with 
distinct and regular rows of rather fine punctures, interstices broad and 
even, very finely, but plainly, punctured; legs ferruginous, posterior 
femora dark metallic, anterior and intermediate femora more or less 
infuscate. L,. 23-8 mm, 
On grass and low plants ; often found in moss; common and generally distributed 
throughout England; Scotland, Solway and Clyde districts; Ireland, Portmarnock 
and Armagh, and probably common. 
A. globosa, III. (globus, Duft.; majuseula, Foudr.). Closely allied 
to the preceding in form and general appearance, but rather larger, and 
of a dark nigro-eneous colour, scarcely metallic; the interstices of the 
