150 CLAVicouNiA. [Fhalacriis. 



towards sides ; elytra finely striate, Avith a rather close and regular row 

 of very fine juinctures near each stria, and each interstice furnished with 

 a longitudinal row of punctures Avhich are somewhat obsolete, although 

 hardly smaller than those near stride ; the sutural stria is rather deep 

 hehind ; under-side with short and thin greyish pubescence ; legs dark 

 pitchy-brown ; the shape and sculpture will distinguish this from the 

 allied species. Size variable. L. l^-Sj mm. 



By sweeping in marshy places, on Carex. &c. ; local ; Norwood ; Cowley ; Shipley, 

 near Horsham ; Brandon, Sutlolk ; Norwich; Glauvilles Wootton ; Devon; Swansea; 

 Horning, ^Yiekeu and Burwell Fens ; Coleshill and Knowle, near Birmingham ; not 

 recorded from further north. 



OS.SSRUS, Erichson. 



This genus, taken in its widest sense, as including Sfilhus, comprises 

 al)Out fifty species, which are very Avidely distributed, rei)resentativcs 

 being found in North and South America, South Africa, Ceylon, &c. ; 

 they are usually taken in flowers or at the roots of })lants ; thiiteen 

 species of the genus Olibrus proper occur in Europe, of which seven are 

 found in Britain ; the genus is distinguished from Sfilbus by having 

 tlie metasternum prolonged between the intermediate coxae, and the 

 posterior femora emarginate and not widened on their inferior margin. 



I. Head and thorax brown ; elytra reddish or hrowuish- 



yellow, with the suture smd outer margin brown . . 0. CORTICALIs, Fanz. 



II. Upper surface b^ack or brownish \\ith or without a 

 more or less distinct metallic reflection. 



i. Length 2-2| mm. 



1. Autennse black with basal joints reddish ; upper 



surface black with a metallic green tinge ... 0. ^neus, F. 



2. Antenna; yellow or yellowish-red 



A. Colour brownish, gradually lighter towards ape.x; 



posterior angles of thorax obtuse 0, ltquidus, Er. 



B. Colour deep bi-onze black ; posterior angles of 



thorax sharp right angles, slightly produced. 



a. Form longer and narrower O. particeps, MuIs. 



b. Form shorter and broader 0. helveticus, Tourn. 



ii. Length less than 2 mm. 



1. Form broader and more convex ; upper surface 

 not lighter towards apex; posterior angles of thorax 



right angles O. millefolii, rai/Jc. 



2. Form narrower and less convex ; upper surface 

 lighter towards apex ; posterior angles of thorax 



obtuse 0. PYGMJiUS, Sturm. 



On corticalis, Panz. Oval, convex, shining ; elytra testaceous with 

 the suture and margins brown, head and thorax brownish ; head very 

 finely and obsoletely punctured ; antennae reddish-yellow ; thorax im- 

 l)unctate, rather lighter at sides, posterior margin sinuate near scutellum ; 

 elytra Avith tAvo distinct striie near suture, and Avith very feeble traces of 

 other striiB, interstices irregularly and very finely and delicately punc- 



