British Species of Aleuonota, Atheta and Sipalia. 285 
impression of lengthening or shortening may be given. 
It may be noted, too, that a free use of gum in fixing the 
antennae to a card may, by clotting the fine hairs at the 
distal end of a joint, give a square appearance to one really 
transverse. 
The phrases “elytra sinuated” or “not sinuated ” 
refer to the presence or absence of an emargination of the 
posterior margin of the elytron just internal to the postero- 
external angle. 
““Shagreening ” and ‘“ puncturation.”—These terms are 
somewhat loosely used by authors. By the former I 
understand a more or less fine wrinkling, the wrinkles by 
joining together forming a distinct pattern easily visible 
under a l-inch objective. In the majority of species it is 
accompanied by puncturation, by which I mean small 
depressions in the surface usually bearing a hair and 
forming a simple puncturation, or, if the margin of the 
puncture is raised above the general surface, a rough 
puncturation. Examples of shagreening without punctura- 
tion are to be seen on the head and thorax of A. angustula, 
aequata, puberula, atomaria, and perexigua. Examples of 
rough puncturation are found on the head and thorax of 
A. corvina, subtilis, mortuorum (atricolor), ete. 
The nomenclature is that of the last European Catalogue 
of Heyden, Reitter and Weise, 1906, which is based on the 
law of priority; no good purpose can be served and only 
confusion result in having well-known Continental forms 
figuring under names applied to them by British authors 
subsequent to the original descriptions. As, however, 
some of the names are so familiar, they are inserted in 
brackets. 
In conclusion I must acknowledge my indebtedness for 
the loan of specimens to Dr. Sharp, Dr. Joy and Mr. J. H. 
Keys; to the latter also my best thanks are due for valuable 
criticisms and suggestions. 
—_ 
. Abdomen.more or less pointed at apex . 
— Abdomen more or less parallel-sided . . . : 3 
2. 2nd joint of antennae distinctly shorter than the 3rd. 
— 2nd joint of antennae not shorter than the 3rd 
3. 4th joint of antennae transverse 
— 4th joint of antennae longer than broad ane G 
4. Sides of thorax with strong setae, middle and posterior 
tibiae with two strong and long setae. Antennae black, 
Svat OO 22" 55. Iso 
