242 CLAVICORNIA. [Meliyethes. 



species, distinguished by having simple claws not toothed at the base ; 

 Oduntogethcs, which has the claws broader and strongly toothed at the 

 base,' containing the single European species 0. hebes, Er. (M. olivaceus, 

 Sturm) ; and Acanthoyetkes, which has the claws as in the preceding 

 genus, but has the forehead deeply excised in a semicircle, and the 

 anterior tibise strongly toothed, whereas in 0. hebes the anterior tibiae 

 are very finely toothed, as in M. rufipcs, &c., and the anterior margin of 

 the forehead is straight; this sub-genus contains our M. solidus,Kug., 

 M. brcvis, Sturm (pictus, Rye), and three other species. 



The species of the genus Meligethes occur on flowers ; they seem to 

 be especially attached to Oruciferce, Labiatce, and Composite, and to the 

 genus Potentilla of the Rosacece ; they are, however, found on many 

 other plants. 



The British species may be divided as follows : in all cases, however, 

 a careful comparison of the detailed^ descriptions is necessary: 



I. Tarsal claws simple. (Meligethes, i. sp.) 



i. Anterior tibiae very finely toothed, rather more dis- 

 tinctly towards apex. 



1. Colour black, with at most very slight traces of 



metallic lustre. 



A. Legs light. 



a. Species large, black, oval, or broad oblong ; 

 punctuation and cross striation of elytra form- 

 ing wavy lines ; club of antenna? dark. 



a*. Sides of thorax considerably contracted 

 towards apex ; thorax very finely and in- 

 distinctly punctured M. BUFIPES, Gt/ll. 



b*. Sides of thorax only slightly contracted 

 towards apex; punctuation of thorax fine 

 but distinct M. LUMBAUIS, Sturm. 



b. Species smaller, rather narrow-oblong ; punc- 

 tuation and cross striation of elytra not form- 

 ing wavy lines ; antenna) entirely light . . M. PTTLVIPES, Sris. 



B. Legs dark ; at most anterior tibise somewhat 



lighter. 



a. Elytra unevenly and rugosely punctured with 

 strong transverse striation bet ween punctures ; 



length under 2 mm M. STTBR0GOS0S, Q-yll. 



b. Elytra evenly punctured with cross reticula- 



tion between punctures ; length at least 2mm. 



a*. Punctuation weak ; cross reticulation be- 

 tween punctures delicate, present on both 

 thorax and elytra M. COBACINT/S, Sturm. 



b*. Punctuation rather strong; cross reticu- 

 lation between punctures rather coarse and 

 uneven, present on elytra only M. COEVINUS, Er. 



2. Colour greenish or greenish-blue, sometimes pur- 



ple, with strong metallic lustre. 



A. Punctuation close, and comparatively weak . . M. -ENEUS, F. 

 IJ. Punctuation more diffuse, and rather strong . M. VIKIDESCENS, F. 

 ii. Anterior tibiao very finely toothed from a little below 

 base to beyond middle, with two or more conspicuously 

 stronger teeth at or close to apex. 



