04 STAPHTLiNiD^. [Almnta. 



the intermediate coxae: there are only two British species, A. incaim, 

 Avhich bears a very close resemblance to H. nigella, and is generally placed 

 in close connexion with that species, and A. plunibea, which has hitherto 

 been placed in our lists between Gnypcta ccendea and lahilis and 

 //. fallax. 



A. incana, Er. Black, rather dull, finely and somewhat thickly 

 pubescent ; head narrower than thorax, sometimes impressed in middle, 

 punctuation rather close but indistinct ; antennae short, thickened 

 towards apex, testaceous with apical joints darker, first joint longer than 

 second or third, third a little shorter and nari'ower than second, fourth as 

 long as broad, 5-10 gradually broader, 7-10 distinctly transverse, 

 eleventh twice as long as tenth ; thorax much narrower than elytra, 

 slightly narrowed behind, broader than long, punctuation indistinct, 

 sometimes, but not always impressed or feebly channelled in front of 

 scutellam ; elytra one-half longer than thorax, sculpture distinct, 

 granulate ; hind body with basal segments closely and distinctly 

 punctured, segments 4-7 finely granulated ; legs pitchy, knees and tarsi 

 paler. L. 3 mm. 



Male with segments 4-6 of hind body rather shining, seventh segment 

 with a row of four large indistinct tubercles just before ap)ex, the space 

 before these thickly granulate ; female with segments 4-6 not more 

 shining than the others, seventh segment with four tubercles as in 

 male, but these are much more indistinct, and the segment is duller. 



Marshy places, in stems of reeds and in tlie axils of the leaves of water plants ; also 

 found in moss, flood refuse, &c., at the edges of pools ; local ; formerly common at 

 Notting Hill and Hammersmith Marshes ; Sheeriiess, Strood, Lee, Merton, 

 Mickleham, Dagenham, Sheppy ; The Holt, Faruham ; Tonbridge ; Glanvilles 

 Wotton ; Devonshire ; Coleshill, Sutton Park, and Knowle, near Birmingham ; 

 Horning Fen and other fen districts ; not found in the north of England or Scotland ; 

 according to Mulsaut'and Key it is rather rare in France, and occurs under sea- weed ou 

 the shore ; it somewhat resembles the next species, but is more linear, and has the 

 first joint of the intermediiite and posterior tarsi shorter; superficially it is extremely 

 like H. nigella, but is considerably larger than that insect. 



A. plumbea, Wat. {Heterota plunihea, Muls. et Eey). Leaden 

 black, dull, hind body more shining, very closely and finely punctured 

 and pubescent ; head a little narrower than thorax, narrowed behind 

 eyes, obscurely impressed on vertex • antennae moderately long, only 

 slightly thickened towards apex, pitchy, with first joint usually reddish, 

 third joint plainly shorter than second, fourth than third, 4-10 not 

 difi'ering much in length, but slightly in breadth, so that the last joints 

 are somewhat transverse, eleventh stout about twice as long as tenth ; 

 thorax subquadrate, much narrower than elytra, slightly narrowed 

 Ijehind, with a broad impression, often more or less obsolete, before base ; 

 elytra rather broader than long, considerably longer than thorax ; hind 

 body closely and finely punctured except at extreme base of each 

 segment ; legs fuscous testaceous, tarsi testaceous, short and stout, 

 L. 8 mm. 



