24 CLAVicoRNiA. [Auisotoma. 



The larvae of Anisotoma and its allies appear to bear a close relation to that of 



Choleva. 



Eeitter divides the genus into the four following groups: — 



I. Posterior angles of thorax projecting, more or less pointed, fitting closely to the 



base of elytra (Group I.). 



II. Posterior angles of thorax blunt or rounded, seldom right-angled, 

 i. Interstices of elytra without cross striation. 



1. Side margins of elytra without distinct outstanding hairs (Group II.). 



2. Side margins of elytra set with distinct outstanding hairs ; posterior angles 

 of thorax rounded (Group III.). 



ii. Interstices of the elytra, especially at the sides, with cross striation (Group 

 IV.). 



The first group is not as yet represented in our fauna ; the second, 

 containing two species (J., ciliaris and A.furva) may perhaps with reason 

 be separated ; but.the fourth, containing the two British species A.parvula 

 and A. rugosa, may with more reason be classed with the third : our 

 species will then fall into two groups which are very uneven in point of 

 numbers. 



I. Side margins of elytra without distinct outstanding hairs; posterior angles of 

 thorax, rounded, blunt, or rarely right-angled (Group I.). 



II. Side margins of elytra with distinct outstanding hairs; posterior angles of thorax 

 rounded (Group II.). 



The characters on which many of the species are separated are very 

 slight, and in many cases comparative, so that a table is not of much 

 value, unless taken in conjunction with the detailed descriptions ; except 

 in two or three instances, all our species of Anisotoma are of a bright 

 chestnut-red, or testaceous-reddish colour ; they vary in size from about 

 2 mm, to nearly 7 mm., and are of oval or oblong-oval form, and more 

 or less convex, with the thorax gradually rounded at sides, narrowed in 

 front, and broadest behind ; the antennae terminate in a more or less dis- 

 tinct club, and their eighth joint is much smaller than those above and 

 below it ; the elytra are furnished wnth rather strong punctured strige, 

 and the interstices, at least the alternate ones, are, as a rule, punctured 

 in fine rows : the shape of the tibiae, and of their apical spines are also 

 useful characters for determination. 



Group 1. 



This group contains all our British species except two ; its members 

 are distinguished from those of the other group by not having the sides 

 of the elytra set with distinct outstanding hairs. 



I. Interstices of elytra without cross striation. 



i. Club of antennae narrow, last joint not narrower 

 than the penultimate. 

 1. Anterior tibise dilated towards apex. 



A. Average size larger (4.-6i mm.) ; form oblong 

 oval or long-oval. 

 a. Second joint of antennae much longer than 



broad, club usually dark A cinnamomea, Panz. 



