180 STAPHTLINIDJE. [MijIIcpna. 



or alutaceous , head moderate^ thorax rather short, widest before the 

 base; elytra short, shorter and narrower than the thorax ; hind body 

 narrow, acutely attenuated, twice as long as the anterior parts of the 

 body; legs and antennae short and robust, rufo-testaceous. L. 2|-3 mm. 



Scarboroupjh ; two specimens taken by Mr. Wilkins;on, probably on the sea-coast, 

 as particles of sea-sand were still adhering to them ; it is found in Greece, the Caucasus 

 Mountains, and Corsica. 



This species is very distinct by reason of its slender attenuated form 

 and rufous colour, in which latter point it resembles M. brevicorms, 

 which is, however, a broader and more robust insect. 



IMC. gracilis, Matth. {forlicornis, Kr.). Long and narrow, fuscous 

 black, clothed with grey pubescence, closely and strongly tuberculate ; 

 head large and broad ; thorax small, almost quadrate; elytra longer and 

 broader than the thorax ; hind body longer than the anterior parts of the 

 body combined, much attenuated, with the apical segment and the 

 greater part of the penultimate segment rufous ; legs and antennae rather 

 short, robust, rufo-piceous; antennae distinctly thickened towards apex, 

 in which latter point it differs from all its allies. L. 2-2| mm. 



In marshy places, flood refuse, &c. ; commoner than any of the other smaller species ; 

 London district, generally distributed; Oxfordshire; Chesliii-e ; Rirniingliam and 

 Midland districts generally; not recorded from the north of Englsind or Scotland. 



Xtl. infuscata, Matth. (v. minima, Kr.). Fuscous, thickly clothed 

 with grey pubescence, closely and rather strongly tuberculate; head 

 rulher short and broad, mouth yellow, thorax short, slightly dilated at 

 base; elytra shorter and narrower than thorax, more so in some specimens 

 than in others ; hind body long, obtusely narrowed, half as long again 

 as the rest of the body with the terminal segments wholly rufous ; legs 

 and antennae moderate, slender, rufo-testaceous, sometimes darker. 

 L. li-2 mm. 



The specimens with rufo-testaceous antennae and shorter elytra appear 

 to be the M. niinima, Kr., which appears to be only a variety of this 

 species. 



In marshy places; probably not uncommon and generally mistaken for M. minuta, 

 from which Ijoth this species and M- grncdis may be distinguished by their much 

 shorter tlior;ix and elytra, the ditlerence beiug very perceptible, but only determinable 

 by actual compiirison of specimens ; M. infuscata differs trom M. gracilis in its smaller 

 size, nairow elongate forin, short elytra, longer and more slender anteunaj, and fuscous 

 colour. 



The V. minima has occurred at Merton (Surrey 1) and Wick en Fen. 



I^. brevicornis, Matth. (1 gracilis, Heer, Irubescens, Key, ? (/raji- 

 dicoUis, Kies.). A veiy distinct species, rufo-testaceous, clothed with 

 yellowish pubescence, very convex and rather shining, finely and 

 closely tuberculate or alutaceous ; head large, antennae yellow, rather 

 short, somewhat thickened towards apex, with the penultimate joints 

 almost transverse ; thorax rather long, widest at the base; elytra short, 



