344 STAPHYMJs'ID^. [Steuus. 



This species could not be cnnfoundeJ Avith any other except S. erassiis, 

 from which it may at once be se}>arated by its broader head and more 

 prominent eyes, closer punctuation, and much duller appearance. 



(Section IV.) 



The species belonging to this section are four in number, and are 

 usually classed under one or other of the preceding sections ; the fourth 

 joint of the tarsi, however, is evidently, although not strongly bilobed, 

 and it seems more satisfactory to remove tliem from the species with 

 simple tarsi, although they can hardly be placed with the succeeding 

 species. 

 I Hind body distinctly margined. 



i. Legs quite black ; punctuation close, somewhat 



rugose S. carboxaeius, Gi/Il. 



ii. Legs dark pitchy ; punctuation strong and rather 



close, but not rufiose S. abgtjs, Grav. 



IL Hind body not nnirgined. 



i. Legs bbick ; elytra plainly longer than thorax . . S. KIGEITULUS, GyU. 



ii. Legs pitchy-brown ; elytra as long as or rather 



shorter than thorax S. brunnipes, Steph. 



S. carbonarius, Oyll. {ojxicus, Er., dehilis, Rye, niger, Mann.). 

 Rather depressed, dull black, with very tine and short ashy pubescence ; 

 head distinctly broader than thorax with two broad shallow furrows, the 

 space between them rather wide and feebly convex ; antennae short, 

 pitchy, palpi brown or dark pitchy red with the base paler ; thorax 

 s<;areely longer than its greatest breadth, considerably rounded at sides 

 and contracted behind, closely but not very deeply punctured ; elytra 

 scarcely longer than thorax, and rather more strongly punctured ; hind 

 body moderately narrowed behind, closely punctured, Avitli the front 

 segments obsolekdy keeled at base, the most evident keel being in the 

 centre of each ; legs black, tarsi often brownish, the latter short and 

 rather thick, with the penultimate joint plainly bilobed for about half 

 its length. L. 2f-3^ mm. 



Male with the seventh ventral segment of hind body rather broadly 

 emarginate at apex, fifth and sixth somewhat impressed and more thickly 

 punctured in middle of apex. 



Marshy places ; in flood refuse, moss, &c. ; rare ; Walton-on-Thames, Weybridge, 

 Diigenham, Chobham, Suubury, Ambeiley, Sheppey, Tonbridge ; Henley-on-Thames ; 

 Wicken Feu; Horning and Kauworth Fens ; Bui ton-on-Trent ; Repton; Tewkes- 

 bury; ManclKster ; Northumberland, somewhat duubtful ; Scotland, very rare, 

 Solway distinct ; Ireland, Killarney. 



This species, as Mr. Rye remarks, somewhat resembles S. bvptJialmus, 

 but may be distinguished from that species by its flat, dull appearance, 

 and very closely pnnctured hind body ; the structure of the tarsi is, how- 

 ever, one of its best characters. 



S. arg-us, Grav. This species is usually classed with the section 



