136 STAPH YLiNiD^. \_IIumaluta. 



In mo's, dond leaves, Ac, especially in marshy places ; not uncommon in the south ; 

 rarer further north; London district, generally distributed ; Toubridge ; The Holt, 

 Farnham; Cannock Chase; Bovvdley ; Kuowle ; Repton ; Liverpool; Manchester 

 district; Northumberland district, not common; Scotland, scarce, Tay and Solvvay 

 districts: the Scotch form is darker than the southern form, and is very probably the 

 H. ohfuscata, Heer = aterrima var. 2, Erichson. 



The elongate first joint of the posterior tarsi, which is at least as long 

 as, if not longer than, the two succeeding, appears to remove this species 

 from the true HomalotfB to the OxypodcE ; it is, hoAvever, generally- 

 regarded as a true Humalofa, but must be looked upon as a somewhat 

 abnormal member of the genus. 



H. muscorum, Bris. (= Colpodota stercoraria (jnlosiventi^is), teste 

 Muls. ct Hey). This species is distinguished from II. jyi/fffia'a, wliich 

 it much resembles, by its less elongate form, shorter antennae, and the 

 shorter basal joint of the posterior tarsi ; from H. aterrima it is 

 distinguished, among other points, by the shorter antennae, of which the 

 penultimate joints are plainly more transverse, by the small and indistinct 

 setae of tlie posterior tibiae, and also by its less transverse thorax ; 

 K. pilosivcntris also closely resembles it, but is smaller on an average, 

 with a shorter thorax which is finely channelled at base ; in H. miiscorum 

 there is no trace of a channel or impression ; the antennae also are 

 shorter in the former than in the latter species, and the head is smaller; 

 //. pilosiventris also is furnished with a distinct exserted seta on the 

 outer side of the intermediate and posterior tibiae, which is situated just 

 below the knee. L. 2 mm. 



The colour of H. muscoru7n is black with the elytra blackish or 

 obscurely fuscous, and is usually darker tlian in II. x>ygi'iia'a. 



Sexual differences obscure, much as in the preceding species. 



In moss, dead leaves, fungi, &c. ; common as a rule throughout the couutry, but 

 perhaps not so abundant or overlooked in the Midland districts; Scotland, abundant; 

 Ireland, uear Waterford, and probably common. 



K. pilosiventris, Thoms. (parvula, Mann., j^arvn, Sahib. 1, Acrofona 

 pilosiventfis, Thoms., stercoraria, Kr., Colpodota stercoraria, Muls. et 

 Key). Black, rather dull, with the antennae black or pitchy, and the 

 lees pitchy ; the elytra are also pitchy, pitchy black, or brownish ; the 

 species conies extremely close to the three preceding, and is best described 

 by comparison with them : the points in which it differs from H. mus- 

 corura have just been noticed ; from H. aterrima it differs by its rather 

 smaller and narrower form, its rather less fine punctuation, and also by its 

 shorter antennae, wdiich have the third joint proportionally shorter, and 

 the penultimate joints a little more transverse ; the hind body also in H. 

 pilosiventris is more uniformly punctured ; from H.pygmtea it differs by its 

 darker antennae, unicolorous hind body, of which the apex is not lighter, 

 and also principally by the less elongate first joint of tlie posterior 

 tarsi, and the strong exserted single seta of posterior tibia3. L. lf-2 mm. 



Sexual characters obscure, much as in the preceding species. 



