52 CLAVICORNIA. [Sil^'ho. 



duced at sutural angle ; in the male it is truncate ; in some respects 

 this species resembles ;S'. opaca, but the latter species has the head 

 not contracted behind eyes, the thorax more even, the antennal club 

 more gradual, and the elytra more coarsely punctured, and thickly 

 covered with yellowish pubescence, whereas in S. sinuata they are almost 

 glabrous. L. 10-12 mm. 



In carcases, &c. ; not uncommon in the London district and the South, bat perhaps 

 commoner in the Midlands ; further north it becomes rarer ; Northuaiberland and 

 Durham district, rare; Scotland, rare, Solway and Forth district; Ireland, near 

 Belfast. 



S. dispar, Herbst. Allied to the preceding, from which it may be dis- 

 tinguished in having the scutellum wholly, and not partially, covered with 

 thick yellowish pubescence, and the elytra plainly pubescent ; the base 

 of the thorax is more strongly sinuate, and the disc of the same is more 

 even ; the sutural angle of the elytra, moreover, is considerably less 

 strongly produced ; this species bears a much closer resemblance to >S^. 

 opaca than S. sinuata does ; it may however be easily knoAvn bj'- having 

 the head contracted behind eyes, and also by the shape of the thorax, 

 which has the anterior margin plainly emarginate, whereas in S. opaca 

 it is almost truncate ; the sides also are less narrowed in front in the 

 latter species. L. 10 mm. 



Ill carcases, &c. ; rare ; Norfolk ; Caernarvon ; Charnwood Forest, Leicestershire ; 

 Repton, very rare ; Northumberland and Durham district, rare, Prestwich and South 

 Shields : Scotland, rare, sea coast, and banks of rivers and lakes, under dead fish, 

 Solway, Forth, and Moray districts (Paisley, Loch Leven, &c.) ; Ireland, neighbour- 

 hood of Armagh, shores of Lough Neagh (Rev. W. F. Johnson). 



(Sub-Gen. Ablattaria, Reitter.) 



This genus was formed by Reitter to include S. Icevlgaia and one or 

 two allied species which have been hitherto placed under Phosphitga : 

 it is one of the most distinct of the sub-genera by reason of its short 

 stout antennae, stout legs, and smooth elytra, but can hardly be regarded 

 as a distinct genus ; it differs very widely from S. atrata, with which it 

 has for so long been classed by many authors. 



S. laevig-ata, F. (jwUta, Sulz.). Oblong oval, convex, deep black, 

 moderately shining ; head elongate ; antenna) rather short and stout, 

 with the first joint elongate, and the club very gradual ; thorax semi- 

 circular, thickly and evenly punctured, with posterior angles rounded ; 

 scutellum pointed behind, thickly punctured ; elytra closely and rather 

 deeply punctured, without raised lines, with a strong raised margin ; legs 

 stout, tibiae dilated and produced into a blunt tooth at apex. L. 11-13 

 mm. 



Male with anterior tarsi dilated. 



In carcases, at roots of grass, crawling on pathways, &:c. ; not uncommon especially 

 near the sea and in challiy districts ; Lcwisham, Gomshall, Box Hill, Sheerness, 



