372 CLAVicoKNU. \_Bimplocuria. 



the tarsi all free, and the fact that all the striae of the elytra, with the 

 exception of the sutnral one, cease before middle. 



The larva of 8. semistrlata resembles in shape that of B. pilula, except that the 

 peiiultimiite segment is not enhir^ed ; it is about 5 mm. iu length, of a pale jjreenisli- 

 yellow colour with the exception ofthe hoiul which is brown ; Chapuis and Candeze 

 record its capture iu the frass accumulated ia an old willow trunk, where it probably 

 was feeding on decomposed vegetable matter. 



S. semistrlata, F. Ovate, narrowed in front and behind, black 

 with bronze reflection, elytra yellowish-brown at apex, upper surface 

 moderately thickly clothed with somewhat erect greyish pubescence ; 

 antennae rather long, reddish or brownish red ; thorax convex, finely and 

 not very closely punctured, much narrowed in front ; elytra with the 

 sutural stria entire, and with the other striae distinct towards base, but 

 ceasing before middle, interstices rather thickly and iinely punctured ; 

 legs red. L. 2|-2f mm. 



Under stones, in flood refuse, by sweeping, &c. ; usually in damp places; common 

 and generally distributed throughout tiie kingdom. 



£iIMNlCI£VS, Latreille. 



This genus comprises between twenty and thirty species, of which nine 

 are found in Europe, and the rest are widely distributed, representatives 

 occurring in North America, Cape Verd Islands, Ceylon, &c, ; although 

 usually classed with the Byrrhidse, to which it is evidently closely related, 

 yet it must be admitted that its position i-^ doubtful, and that its 10- 

 jointed antennee and habits seem to show that Keitter and others may be 

 right in placing it together with Pelochares and Bothriophorus in a 

 separate family ; as far as position goes it is, however, just as well 

 placed here as it is between the Sphaeridiidse and Parnidae, where it is 

 inserted by Reitter ; the species are minute, oval, convex insects, and 

 at first sight somewhat closely resemble the small species of Syncalypta. 



I«' pygrmaeus, Sturm (sericfus, Steph.). Oval, convex, narrowed in 

 front and behind, black, rather shining, upper surface clothed with 

 exceedingly short brownish-grey or grey pubescence ; head and thorax 

 exceedingly finely and thickly punctured, antennae red, 10-jointed, with 

 the three last joints forming a distinct club, forehead separated from 

 clypeus by a distinct suture ; thorax narrowed towards apex, with the 

 posterior angles somewhat acute ; scutellum small, triangular ; elytra 

 finely and diffusely punctured ; under-side thickly and tinel)^ punctured 

 and pubescent ; legs red ; in immature specimens the upper surface is 

 sometimes brown and the under surface reddish-brown. L. l:f~l| mm. 



Sandy and chalky places, in moss, &c. ; usually at the sides of watercourses or in 

 damp places, and apparently somewhat subaquatic in its habits ; rare ; Higham, Kent ; 

 Sheppy; Southend; Deal; Lyme Regis ; Isle of Wight, Luccombe Chine, &c. ; 

 Seaton, Devon ; Wicken and Biirwell Fens. Stephens records it from Stockton, but 

 there are several places of this name. 



