40 



with both sexes (though, of course, especially the male) 

 shining. 



Nor is this principle of topographical variability (the 

 result of climate) less apparent in other countries also. 

 The Notiophili, for instance, " are extremely unstable, 

 both in their sculpture and hue, being subject to con- 

 siderable local modifications, though more particularly 

 affected, it would appear, by altitude. Thus, in our own 

 country, the N. semipunctatus, Fab., one of the common 

 representatives of the plains, is found likewise on the 

 summits of the mountains ; but at that elevation it be- 

 comes liable to great alternations of colour, ranging 

 from pale brassy-brown, with the apex testaceous, into 

 deep black. The sculpture, however, perhaps is nearly 

 as much dependent on other circumstances for its mo- 

 dification as upon altitude, since it seems tolerably clear 

 that proximity to the sea-shore, especially where the 

 localities are saline, will frequently produce a more 

 faintly impressed surface*." It has indeed been lately 

 suggested, that the Helobia nivalis, Payk., may be per- 

 haps, after all, but a mountain variety of the H. brevi- 

 collis ; the Leistus montanus, Steph., of the L.fulvibarbis, 

 and the Patrobus septentrionis, Dej., of the P. excavatus ; 

 but of this I think farther proof is needed, seeing that 

 certain species do appear to exist which are strictly 

 alpine (that is to say, which have not been, severally, 

 detected in the lower regions of more northern zones) ; 

 and, in most instances, where aberrations are to be met 

 * Insecta Maderensia, p. 17. 



