44 COLEOPTERA. 



4. Haliplus striatus, Sharp, 1. c, vi, 81 (described). 



Dr. Sharp brings forward this insect with a certain amount 

 of reserve as to its specific distinctness from H. ruJicoIUs, 

 being, indeed, of opinion that H.Jluviatilis ?Lnd rvficollis are 

 but races of one species, and that, if this be so, his striatus 

 must be considered as a third race of the same species. But, 

 ifjiuviatilis and rujicollis are, as heretofore, to be considered 

 distinct, -H". striatus will a fortiori be entitled to specific 

 rank, as Dr. Sharp states that it appears to be very constant 

 in such characters as it possesses ; whereas the other two are 

 so variable that he has some specimens which appear to him 

 completely intermediate. I am strongly inclined to think 

 Dr. Sharp right in his views as to Jiaviatilis and rujicollisy 

 after a long coirespondence with him on the subject, and an 

 examination of the specimens to which he refers ; and I am 

 the more inclined to his views, as I Und Jiaviatilis and 7'ufi- 

 collis occurring together in great numbers in a running stream 

 near Coombe Wood, accompanied by specimens which I am 

 unable to refer satisfactorily to either, and also by other and 

 extraordinary vars. of the ruficollis type. I have mounted 

 and examined a very large number of these doubtful speci- 

 mens, but find it difficult to form any better opinion concern- 

 ing them than that they result from cross-breeding between 

 extreme types of the same species. 



H. striatus is of the size of small ruficollis^ but is much 

 narrower at the shoulders, and has the black lines on the 

 elytra more even, with no tendency to spots; from Jluviatilis 

 it may be known by its smaller size and darker colour, and 

 by the lines on the elytra being throughout of even width. 



Found in great numbers in a pond a few miles from 

 Dumfries, in company with -ff. ruficollis, and in other 

 localities near that town. 



