Phytobius. | _ RHYNCHOPHORA. 375 
Coléoptéres, p. 219); they live on the leaves of their food plants and 
protect themselves with a covering partly formed of exerement and 
partly of a viscous fluid secreted from the terminal segment ; when about 
to change to the pupa state the insect retires to a fold of a leaf and 
there spins over itself a cocoon; the transformation to the perfect state 
does not occupy more than eight or ten days, at the end of which period 
the beetle makes its exit through an irregular opening in the cocoon. 
I. Tarsal claws simple (Phytobius, i. sp.). 
i, Anterior margin of thorax without distinct tuber- 
cles or little teeth ; elytra very distinctly marked 
with marbled grey scales (in fresh specimens) . P. CoMARI, Herbst. 
ii. Anterior margin of thorax with two small tubercles 
or little teeth. 
1. Rostrum longer, three times as long as broad ; 
thorax without central furrow . . . . . . P. WALTONI, Boh. 
2. Rostrum shorter, twice as long as broad; thorax 
with a more or less distinct central furrow. 
A. Lateral interstices of elytra siightly asperate ; 
suture without a dark velvety patch behind 
Scutellum 9S 2 «Sesh icine, ae LC QUADRITUBERCULATUS: PF 
B. Lateral interstices of elytra not asperate; 
suture with a dark velvety patch behind scu- 
UDI SPN Gs RSNA Nene Acne ae A 
II. Tarsal claws appendiculate on their inner side 
(Pachyrrhinus, Steph.). 
i, Thorax without central furrow ; anterior margin of 
thorax furnished with two tooth-like tubercles the 
interval between which is as broad as the forehead P. QUADRICORNIS, Gy/ll. 
ii. Thorax with central furrow ; anterior margin of 
thorax furnished with two tooth-like tubercles the 
interval between which forms a small incised angle P. QUADRINODOsUS, Gyll, 
P, CANALICULATUS, Fahr. 
P. comari, Herbst. (s.g. Pelenomus, Thoms.). Short ovate, black, 
under surface and sides of thorax closely covered with white scales, 
which also form more or less distinct scattered spots on the elytra ; in 
quite fresh specimens the elytra are very prettily variegated and there 
is a large patch of scales towards scutellum and another behind middle ; 
scape of antenne, tibiz, except apex, and most of tarsi reddish yellow ; 
thorax rather long, gradually narrowed in front, but not constricted, 
with a feeble central furrow, and with two lateral tubercles, but with- 
out distinct tubercles on anterior margin; elytra with deep, rather 
indistinctly punctured, striz, interstices not muricate; legs long. 
L. 2 mm. 
Male with the intermediate tibiz armed with a rather large hook and 
the fifth abdominal segment slightly impressed. 
Marshy places; on aquatic plants; local and not common; Barnes, Shirley, 
Esher ; Dagenham, Essex ; Woodbastwick ; Arundel ; New Forest ; Bristol ; Norfolk ; 
Huntingdonshire; Wicken Fen; Mablethorpe, Lincolnshire; Askham Bog, York; 
Liverpool district, rare; Stretford, near Manchester; Hale Moss; Northumberland 
district, rare, on Comarum palustre, Prestwick Carr ; Scotland, local, Solway district, 
