NEW BRITISH SPECIES, ETC., IN 1866. 71 



in July last ; but, according to Erichson, its habitat is the 

 exuding sap of oaks. 



The well defined maculation of its elytra, its reddish co- 

 lour, and broader and more convex shape, readily distinguish 

 it from E. ohsoktaj which often has a more or less evident 

 spot on its elytra. The common E. csstiva frequently ex- 

 hibits a dark mark on the disc of the elytra, and in this con- 

 dition (with other species liable to discoloration, or to the 

 appearance of an elytral spot through the folding of the 

 wings) seems to be not unfrequently mistaken for the true 

 E. variegata. 



Although, froni the marked nature of the preponderating 

 characters, there can bo little doubt that Mr. Blackburn's 

 insects are rightly named, yet there are one or two points in 

 which they differ from the Erichsonian description. Of these 

 the most worthy of notice is the size of the apical joint of the 

 antennaB, as the relative width, &c., of the claval articulations 

 is so constantly used as a specific test in this genus.' In Mr. 

 Blackburn's specimens the apical joint is slightly darkened 

 and rather narrower than the two preceding ; whereas all 

 three should be of equal size, and the same colour as the 

 body, according to Erichson. The latter author, also, omits 

 to notice the somewhat abrupt narrowing behind of the tho- 

 rax which is exhibited in these Scotch specimens. 



•38. Meligethes Kunzei, Erichs., Ins. Deutschl. iii, 182, 

 15 ; E. C. Rye, Ent. Mo. Mag. vol. iii, p. 47. 



I have a specimen, taken in the London district, which is 

 apparently correctly referred to this species. 



It resembles M. difficilis in size and build, but has even 

 more widely and strongly punctured elytra, of which the 

 pubescence is very fine and scanty ; it is, moreover, of a 

 deeper black colour, without any trace of greenish reflections 



