Maul um.'\ HIVTOPHAGA. 377 



broad as the elytra, without a trace of a trau>vT.-c imprc-nsion at base, 

 but with a distinct longitudinal fold or impression on >ach side ; the 

 niit-iuue are rather short and stout, and thickened towards apex ; the 

 elytra are punctured in regular or almost regular rows ; all the tibiaj are 

 furnished with a distinct spur ; the form is elongate-oval and almost 

 subcylindrical, and the colour is variable, but, as a rule, dark blue or 

 p;t<Tiii$h-blue ; about a dozen species are known, half of which are found 

 in Europe, and others have been described from North America, 

 Algeria, and Adelaide ; four of them inhabit Britain. 



I. Upper surface dark blue or greenish -blue, with 



tlie apex at least of the elytra ferruginous . . . . M. RCSTICA, Z>. 



II. Upper surface entirely a>neous or leirugino-seueous . M. CHKVSAM HKMI, Koch, 



III. Upper mrface dark blue or greenish-blue, uni- 

 colorous. 



i. Thorax dull ; elytra with broad interstice*, the 



last of which has no row ot larger punctures on its 



basal liulf ; size larger .......... M. OBTCSATA, Ggll. 



ii. Thorax shining ; elytra with narrow interstices, 



the last of which bus a distinct row of larger 



punctures on its basal half; size smaller . . . . M. MATTHEWSI, 



M. rustica, L. (temiienea, F.). Oblong-oval, rather elongate, 

 moderately convex and shining, head and thorax obscure brassy-green, 

 elytra dark blue or bluish-black, more or less broadly ferruginous at 

 apex; head rather strongly punctured, antennje with the base red, except 

 u] HUT surface of first joint, and the rest dark; thorax about half as 

 broad again as long, narrowed in front, rather strongly punctured, but, 

 usually diffusely on disc; elytra long with regular rows of strong 

 punctures, which are continued to apex, where, however, they become 

 tiner ; legs ferruginous or pitchy red, with the posterior femora dark, 

 and the tarsi infutcate. L. 2j-3 mm. 



V. euturalis, Weise. This variety has the elytra entirely ferruginous, 

 with the suture greenish or bluish. 



By sweeping herbage (Rvmer, Ac.) ; usually in damp places ; occasionally found 

 in bay-stuck and vegetable refuse; generally distributed throughout Kughind ; it 

 appear?, however, to be local in some districts, and to become less common further 

 north; Scotland, not common, Solway dintrict j it is probably widely distributed in 

 Ireland. 



M. chrysanthemi, Koch. Oblong-ovate, shorter, more oval and 

 more convex than the preceding species, from which it may be at once 

 known by having the upper surface entirely of a bright aeneous, some- 

 times coppery, colour, the apex of the elytra being ferruginous ; the shape 

 of the head, antennae, and thorax is much as in the preceding sjwies ; 

 the latter, however, is more finely and closely punctured ; the stri of 

 the <-lytra are strong and regular, and are continued to apex ; under-side 

 black, with bronze reflection, very finely punctun d ; !<* red, posterior 

 femora ferruginous or pitchy ferruginous. I.. 1 , .; mm. 



