100 CLAVicoRNiA. \_B llloporus. 



BIBZiOFORUS, Thomson. 



Tliis genus, separated from Eupledus by Thomson, contains two or 

 three European species, which are distinguished by having the head much 

 narrower than the thorax, and by the fact that the basal fovese of the 

 thorax are not united by a transverse furrow ; the segments of the ab- 

 domen are subequal in length ; our single species very much resembles 

 E. nigricans at first sight, and is found under the same conditions and 

 in the same localities. 



S. bicolor, Denny {glabriculus, Gyll.). Pitch-black or deep black, 

 shining, with the mouth, antennae, and legs reddish-testaceous, head 

 plainly narrower than thorax with deep frontal furrows or fovete ; thorax 

 broader than long, with sides much dilated and rounded in front, and 

 much narrowed behind ; elytra considerably broader and longer than 

 thorax, rather convex and dilated, with a short but distinct dorsal stria ; 

 abdomen with depressions at base of first segment of thorax very shallow, 

 L. 1-1^ mm. 



Male with the intermediate femora strongly thickened, and armed 

 with a small sharp spine at base, intermediate tibiae dilated in the form 

 of a strong triangular tooth, last ventral segment raised ; nietasternum 

 channelled in both sexes^ but more deeply in male. 



Under bark of oak, birch, bcecb, &c. ; local ; London district, not common, Cliatham, 

 Bexley, Brasted, Sevenoaks, Cobham, Lougbton, Bearsted, Hampsteud, Higbgate, 

 Deau Forest ; Midland districts, locally abundant (Blatcli) ; Bewdley and Sbervvood 

 Forests; Cannock Chase; Sutton Park, Birmingham; Hopwas Wood, Tamworth 

 (very abundant under bark of oak-trees infested by Rhagium inquisitor) ; Scotland, 

 under bark of dead birch, rare, Forth, Tay and Dee districts. 



EUPLECTUS, Leach. 



This is one of the hardest genera in the whole range of the Coleoptera, 

 and the differences are often so minute that it is impossible to know 

 how many species it really contains ; forty-five only are enumerated in 

 the Munich catalogue, which are widely distributed over the surface of the 

 world, but it is certain that the genus is much more extensive than is at 

 present known ; there are about thirty European species belonging to the 

 genus Eupledus proper ; of thcjse eleven are found in Britain ; they are 

 easily known by their very long and quite linear shape, and their very mi- 

 nute size ; they are found in hot-beds, heaps of cut grass, and other vege- 

 table refuse, and some species occiir under bark or in rotten wood ; they 

 are very sluggish in their movements, and this, coupled with their small 

 size, causes thorn often to be passed over by collectors unless they are very 

 carefully searched for ; their colour is bright rufous or castaneous. or 

 dark pitchy-black ; I have paid considerable attention to this genus, and 

 in company with Mr. Garneys, of Repton, was fortunate enough to find. 



