Strophosomus. | RHYNCHOPHORA. 189 
tremely prominent, appearing, in some species, as if almost. detached 
from the head ; this character, together with the large broadly trian- 
cular head, will easily distinguish them from their allies ; the vertex is 
constricted behind the eyes; the scrobes are deep, sometimes slightly 
deflexed, sometimes almost straight; the thorax is transverse or sub- 
transverse, as a rule, not much longer than the head; in size they vary 
from 31 to 64 mm.; in the males the tibie are terminated by a small 
hook and the last abdominal segment is sometimes modified ; five species 
are usually regarded as British, of which three belong to the sub-genus 
Neliocarus, Thomson, above referred to; as, however, Walton’s species 
S. fulvicornis is recognized by Dr. Sharp and apparently on the continent, 
as it appears in the catalogue of Heyden Reitter and Weise as from 
Britain and Germany, I have thought it best to include it, although, if 
my specimens are correctly named, they appear to come extremely close 
to §. capitatus, De G. (obesus, Marsh.) ; although the genus is a small 
one, two or three of the species are often hard to distinguish, as they are 
somewhat variable in size, colour, &e. 
I. Elytra not fitting tightly into the base of thorax ; scrobes 
slightly but plainly deflexed (Strophosomusi. sp.). 
i. Elytra with the suture denuded at base, forming a 
black longitudinal patch at scutellum . . . . . . S. coryui, F. 
ii. Elytra with the suture not denuded at base. 
1. Erect hairs on elytra very distinct, if viewed side- 
ways; thorax rugosely punctured. . . . . . . S. oapiratus, De G. 
(obesus, Marsh.) 
2. Erect hairs on elytra much less distinct, and often 
more or less obsolete, even if viewed etn ; thorax 
somewhat remotely ‘punctured . : S. FULVIcORNIS, Walt. 
IJ. Elytra fitting tightly into base of thor: ax ; elytra and 
thorax slightly constricted at base(Neliocarus, Thoms. ) 
i. Base of thorax slightly but plainly emarginate just 
before scutellum ; upper surface aaely clothed with 
ee outstanding hairs . . S. FABER, Herbst. 
. Base of thorax not emarginate before scutellum ; ; “upper 
surface without or with very short outstanding hairs. 
1. Upper surface entirely covered with scales. S. REtTusus, Marsh. 
2. Upper surface mostly denuded, except at sides, black 
BGs Wi Oe ee kale Bele ats eS RUATERADIS. Paice 
(limbatus, F.) 
S. coryli, F. (obesus, Thoms. nec Marsh). Black, with the antennz 
and legs ferruginous, thickly clothed with brownish or fuscous-ashy 
scales, with a denuded black longitudinal patch at base of elytra near 
scutellum; rostrum bisulcate in front; head longitudinally rugose ; 
thorax granulate-rugose with three more or less distinct, often obsolete, 
fuscous dorsal lines; elytra with moderate punctured striz, interstices 
convex, with short set, legs robust, squamose and pubescent. L. 45-6 
min. 
On various trees, hazel, oak, fir, &c.; common and generally distributed throughout 
the kingdom; in quite fresh specimens the scales, as in many other allied species, 
have a distinct coppery reflection. 
