250 Dr. Sharp^s Fevision of the 



fifth and sixth finely and sparingly punctured, the sides 

 and apex with distinct outstanding hairs. The legs are 

 pitchy, the knees and tarsi reddish; the four posterior 

 tibias are furnished each with two distinct long setse, the 

 lower ones being especially long ; the posterior tarsi are 

 stout. and pointed, and the hairs with which they are 

 furnished are conspicuous. 



In the male, the dorsal plate of the seventh abdominal 

 segment is truncate in the middle, and the lateral mar- 

 gin is produced behind as a long fine spine, reaching 

 only a little beyond the broad truncate middle part, 

 from which it is separated by a distinct space ; the pos- 

 terior margin of the ventral plate is gently rounded. 



In the female, the hind margin of the upper plate is 

 broadly and obsoletely emarginate in the middle, the lateral 

 margin projects a little on each side as a short sharp tooth ; 

 the hind margin of the ventral plate is furnished with 

 black cilia, and is somewhat excised in the middle. 



In dung, generally distributed, but not very abundant. 

 Apparently commoner in Scotland than in England. 



Ohs. — Whether H. nigripes, Th., is synonymous with 

 this species is not certain, though it is probable from 

 his description. 



140. Homalota atramentaria. 



Antice nigro-subgenea, subnitida, abdomine nitidulo 

 nigerrimo, pedibus piceis ; thorace transverse ; abdomine 

 apicem versus vix angustato, segmentis 2-4 sat parce 

 punctatis, 5° parcius punctate, 6° fere lasvigato. Long. 

 U-li lin. 



Mas; abdomine segmento 7° dorsali apice medio levi- 

 ter emarginato, utrinque margine laterali acuto. 



Fern. J abdomine segmento 7° dorsali apice medio 

 emarginato. 



Var. — Elytris disco plus minusve rufescentibus. 



Aleochara atramentaria, Gyll. Ins. Suec. ii. 408 ; H. 

 atramentaria, Er. Gen. et Spec. Staph. Ill; Kr. Ins. 

 Deutsch. ii. 303 ; Wat. Cat. ; Atheta atramentaria, Th. 

 Sk. Col. iii. 92. 



This species is remarkable by the peculiar dull brassy 

 lustre of the head, thorax, and elytra. The antennae are 

 blackish, with the basal joint pitchy, a little thickened 



