Meli'jethes.] clavicornia. 251 



that species, narrower, less convex, less shining, and nioro liiiely ])Uiic- 

 tured ; antennie brownish, with the first two joints red ; thorax nearly 

 double as broad as long, with the sides nearly parallel, without cross 

 striation between punctures ; elytra with Aveak cross striation, which is 

 more evident at the base ; legs dark brown with the anterior tibiie ferru- 

 ginous ; the species is very easily distinguished by the two conspicuous 

 teeth (not separated by smaller teeth) at the extreme apex of the anterior 

 tibioe, which are widened towards apex. The male has the anterior tarsi 

 rather strongly dilated, and the metasternnm with a rather wide and 

 deep impression. L. lf-2 mm. 



Local; on Teucriitm scorodonia ; not uncommon in some places in tlie London 

 district, Birch Wooil, Micklebam, Caterliam, Chatham ; Auiberley ; Littlingtou ; 

 Kinc^siiown, on Scabiosa succisa ; Dover; according to Brisout it occurs near Paris on 

 Trifulinm medium, 



1*1. umbrosus, Sturm. One of our largest species, in size equalling 

 average specimens of if. luiiibaris ; short and broad, convex, with very 

 thick and fine punctuation, Avhich gives it a dull appearance ; pubescence 

 close, usuall}' grey, sometimes blackish ; upper surf ace of both thorax and 

 elytra reticulate between punctures ; thorax about a third broader than 

 long, wider at base than elytra ; antennae black with the two first joints 

 brownish-red; anterior legs reddish-brown with tibia? lighter, posterior 

 pairs pitchy ; anterior tibiaj with several more prominent teeth towards 

 apex, which, however^ are not so conspicuous as in some of the allied 

 species, and sometimes are very weak or almost obliterated. The male 

 has a small prominence on the niestasternuni between the posterior coxi?e, 

 and a little transverse keel at the extremity of the last abdominal seg- 

 ment; this character, however, is very variable in different specimens; 

 this sex also has the anterior tarsi strongly dilated. L. 2|-3 mm. 



On LabiatcE, Genistce, wild Cisius, Helianthemiun imlgare, and HieraciiDn ; very 

 local, and as a rule rare; London district, not uncommon, Caterham, Mickleliaui, 

 Ciuitham, Darenth Wood, Brasted, Sevenoaks, Shiere, Rusper, Bearstead, &,c. ; New 

 Forest ; Tenby (one specimen at Lydstep, Aug. 1885) ; Scotland, Solway district. 



M. maurvs, Sturm, Avhich bas been wrongly considered a British 

 species — all its supposed exponents being 31. ovahis, Sturm — comes very 

 close to M. umhrosus ; in fact, it is very hard to distinguish them, as 

 in punctuation, denticulation of anterior tibiae, &c., they are exceedingly 

 alike ; M. maurus, however, is rather larger than M. umhrosus, with very 

 slightly stronger punctuation and weaker pubescence, and with the 

 posterior margin of the thorax not broader than the base of elytra ; the 

 thorax is narrower with its sides more parallel ; the teeth of the anterior 

 tibiae are rather stronger ; the metasternum of male is impressed, and has 

 two small tubercles on the front of the impression, and the last segment 

 of the abdomen is furnished with a small smooth tubercle. L. 2|-3j- 

 mm. 



The species is common in France on Salvia and Mentha, and may very likely be 

 found iu Britain. 



