.28 STAPHTLINIDiB. [OxyjW'la. 



In haystack refuse, carriou, &c., and often liy sweeping; generally distributed and 

 commou as far north as the Forth district of Seothiud. 



O. vittata, Maerk. This species is very closely related to the 

 preceding, of which it may perhaps be a race that has been somewhat 

 modified by habitat ; it is a little smaller and narrower ; the colour of the 

 elytra is variable, but as a rule the dark colour is more prevalent than 

 in the preceding species ; the intermediate and penultimate joints of 

 the antennae are shorter, and the posterior tarsi are slightly longer. 

 L. 3| mm. 



In nests of Formica fuliginosa ; common in the London district ; not uncommon 

 also in the south of England and the Midlandsi, but. rarer further north ; Scotland, 

 very rare, Dee and Solway districts. To this record Dr. Sharp (" Scottish Naturalist," 

 ii. l"-i, p. 189) appends tlie following note : " This species is not uncommon as a guest 

 of F. fuliginosa, a species which 1 believe does not occur in Scotland. I have taken 

 vittata at Thornhill and Braemar, and certainly not with the ant in question." 



O. opaca, Grav. This species is very much like the two preceding, 

 but may, as a rule, be easily distinguished by the darkerand more uniform 

 colour of the elytra, which are also evidently shorter and more transverse ; 

 the general form is shorter and more convex, and the pubescence is darker 

 and rather closer ; the first joint of the posterior tarsi is distinctly longer 

 than the three following together, whereas in the two preceding species 

 it is at most only equal to them ; the male has the ventral plate of the 

 seventh segment of hind body prolonged in a less evident angle. 

 L. 3^-3f mm. 



In haystack refuse and under vegetable detritus generally ; also in moss, old faggots 

 fungi, &c. ; commou and widely distributed throughout the kingdom. 



Section II. (Sub-Gen. X^ycetodrepa, Thoms.) 



This section contains one s^^ecies which is very common in decaying 

 fungi, especially in autumn ; it is easily distinguished by its colour (in 

 which it resembles one or two species of Bolitoclmra, witli which it is 

 sometimes found in company), and by having the elytra half as long 

 again as thorax. 



O. alternans, Grav. Elongate, finely and thickly pubescent, and 

 very finely punctured, with the head and a broad band before apex of 

 hind body dark brown or black ; the elytra also have the scutellary 

 region and the postero-external angles darkened ; antennae rather strongly 

 thickened, fuscous, with base lighter, third joint a little shorter than 

 second, 6-10 strongly transverse ; thorax broader than long, with base 

 slightly narrower thaii base of elytra ; elytra much longer than thorax ; 

 hind body narrowed behind, finely shagreened ; legs testaceous, posterior 

 tarsi elongate, with the first joint about equal to the three following 

 united. L. 3-3^ mm. 



Male with ventral plate of seventh segment of hind body prolonged into 

 a distinct angle. 



Common and generally distributed. 



