174 Dr. Sharp's Bevision of the 



in the female convex. Thorax about as broad as the 

 elytra, transverse, half as broad again as long, the sides 

 but little rounded, the base about as wide as the apex, 

 closely and very finely punctured ; sometimes in the 

 middle before the base with a broad shallow impression, 

 sometimes not impressed. The elytra are scarcely longer 

 than the thorax, generally a little lighter in colour than 

 it, finely and densely punctured. Abdomen black, a 

 little paler at the apex, segments two to four finely but 

 distinctly and moderately densely punctured, fifth seg- 

 ment sparingly punctured, sixth almost impunctate. 

 Legs dirty testaceous. 



In the male, the upper surface of the head is flatter 

 than in the female, and channelled; the abdomen has 

 the seventh segment underneath a little longer and 

 narrower. 



I have found this species only in Scotland. At Ran- 

 noch, on the Pentlands, and near Thornhill. I have not 

 seen any other specimens, except some taken by Mr. 

 Crotch, at Rannoch. 



Ohs. — H. curtipennis can be confounded only with H. 

 gemina, but its shorter and stouter antennae, and shorter 

 elytra readily distinguish it. Thomson's H. hreviceps 

 may prove identical with it, though I cannot satisfy 

 myself of this from description. 



Group XI. The sixth segment of the abdomen closely 

 punctured; antenncs not very stout. (Species 68 — 73). 



The following species constitute a natural group, with 

 the exception of H. vilis, which, although always asso- 

 ciated with H. analis, would, perhaps, be better placed 

 in Group III. The species are found amongst moss, and 

 in damp places. 



68. Homalota vilis. 



Linearis, nigro-fusca, antennis elytrisque fuscis, pedi- 

 bus testaceis ; thorace leviter transverse ; abdomine supra 

 to to confertim subtiliter punctate. Long, vix 1 lin. 



Mas; capite medio impresso, abdomine segmento 7° 

 ventrali paulo elongate. 



H. vilis, Er. Kaf. Brand, i. 325; Gen. et Spec. Staph. 

 97 ; Kr. Ins. Dentsch. ii. 257 ; Wat. Cat. 



