Ephistemus."] CLAVICORNIA. 345 



with the apex of elytra obscurely brownish, almost glabrous, shining ; 

 antennse testaceous or reddish-testaceous ; mouth parts testaceous ; thorax 

 shorter than in the preceding species, posterior margin sinuate at each 

 side near posterior angles which are projecting, very finely and diffusely 

 punctured ; elytra broader than in E. globosus, and more indistinctly 

 punctured, the punctures being hardly visible even under a high magni- 

 fying power; legs testaceous. L. 1^ mm. 



In haystack refuse, moss, &c. ; common and generally distributed throughout the 

 kingdom, but not so abundant in Scotland as in the midland and southern parts of 

 England. 



V. 1 globulus, Payk., vere. According to Mr. Crotch the true E. 

 globulus of Paykull is a smaller insect, and has the thorax simply emar- 

 ginate in front instead of bisinuate, and is somewhat differently shaped ; 

 there appears to be considerable doubt as to this species or variety, and 

 very little is known about it as British. 



In the catalogue of Heyden, Reitter, and Weise, E. globulus and gyrinoides are given 

 as synonymous ; Mr. Champion records E. globulus from Sheerness, and I have 

 records also from Darenth and Stretford, Manchester j the specimens standing under 

 this species in Dr. Power's and other older collections must all be referred to E, 

 gyrinoides. 



V. dimidiatus, Sturm (confinis, Steph.). This variety has the basal 

 half of the elytra reddish-testaceous or brownish-red ; it appears to be 

 about as common as the type. 



V. dubia, Fowler. In Dr. Sharp's collection there are a number of 

 very small specimens of an Ephistemus (length | 1 mm.) ; as regards size 

 they agree with Erichson's description of E. exiguus, which appears to be 

 the only other European species now recognized as distinct except E. 

 globosus and E. gyrinoides (globulus) ; they do not, however, agree with 

 Erichson's description in one or two points (e.g. the hind angles of the 

 thorax which are produced, and the colour of the club of the antennas 

 which is light testaceous like the rest of the joints, and not pitchy), and 

 cannot well be referred to E. exiguus ; they differ, however, from E. 

 gyrinoides in their much smaller size, rather longer form, and the slightly 

 more distinct scattered punctures of elytra ; it appears the best course, 

 therefore, to treat them at present as a variety of E. gyrinoides. Dr. 

 Sharp had separated them from that species, but had attached no name 

 to them. 



SCAPHIDIID.E. 



The position of this family has given rise to great differences of 

 opinion among various authors, and it can hardly yet be said to be 

 settled ; it is usually placed near the Scydmaanidae and Trichopterygidse ; 

 Thomson places it near the Kitidulidse, Heyden, Eeitter, and Weise be- 

 tween the Corylophidfe and Phalacridte, and Horn between the Sphseriidse 

 and Phalacridae, while in the Munich catalogue it is placed between the 



