British Sjyecies of Homalota. 259 



147. Homalota inuscorum. 



Nigra, parum nitida, elytris nigro-fuscis, pedibus tes- 

 taceis, feraoribus obscurioribus, crebre subtiliter punctata ; 

 antennis articulis 7-10 leviter transversis; thorace leviter 

 transverse, convexiusculo, gequali; abdomine apicem 

 versus angustato, supra crebre apice vix parcius punc- 

 tate. Long. 1 lin. 



H. muscorum, Bris. Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr. I860, p. 344. 

 H. pieties, Wat. Cat. 



Antenna of moderate length and stoutness, a little 

 thickened towards the apex; joints two and three rather 

 long, two a little longer than three, four moderately 

 stout, four to six about as long as broad, seven to 

 ten each a little shorter than broad; eleventh joint 

 rather long and stout, about as long as the two 

 preceding together. The head is narrower than the 

 thorax, rounded, convex above, finely and moderately 

 closely punctured. The thorax is, at the base, a little 

 narrower than the elytra, its breadth about one-third 

 greater than its length, considerably narrower at the 

 anterior than at the posterior angles, transversely arched, 

 without channel or impression, closely and very finely 

 punctured, and delicately pubescent. The elytra are a 

 little longer than the thorax, of an obscure fuscous or 

 blackish colour, closely and finely punctured. The ab- 

 domen is distinctly narrowed towards the apex, finely 

 closely and evenly punctured, the sixth segment a little 

 more sparingly than the preceding ones ; the pubescence 

 is long, depressed, and distinct, the outstanding setae of 

 the sides and apex of moderate length. The legs are 

 yellowish, the femora pitchy, the outstanding setse of the 

 posterior tibiae small and indistinct. 



Very abundant all over the country. 



Obs. — This species is readily distinguished from H. 

 pygmcea, by its less elongate form, shorter concolorous 

 antennae, and shorter basal joint to the posterior tarsi. 

 H. pilosiventris is smaller, has a shorter thorax, with a fine 

 channel at the base, shorter antennee, and smaller head. 

 I have compared my specimens with M. Brisout's type 

 of H. muscorum, and find they agree in all respects. 

 Kraatz has stated that H. muscorum is identical with 

 H. stercoraria, Kr., but I cannot agree that M. Brisout^s 

 specimens accord with Kraatz's description of H. stereo- 



