MR. A. MURRAY'S MONOGRAPH OF THE FAMILY OF NITIDULARLE. 285 
prothorace lateribus haud angulatim rotundatis; elytris humeris prominentibus. 
Long. 1-14 lin., lat. $ lin. 
Habitat in Germania. 
Allied to C. Sambuci, but distinguished by the colour and by the absence of the angular 
expansion of the sides of the thorax. It is more shining. The antennz have the club 
three-jointed in both sexes. The scutellum is triangular with the apex acute, while in 
C. Sambuci it is rounded. The shoulders of the elytra are very prominent. The profile 
of C. Sambuci is more level than that of C. Spiree, which has a greater declivity between 
the base of the thorax and the base of the elytra. However, except in very exceptional 
cases, there is no need to refer to these points to distinguish the species, the colour alone 
being quite sufficient —dark rich umber in C. Spiree, and pale testaceous in C. Sambuci. 
This species was first noticed by Erichson, but somehow was mistaken for a Bra- 
chypterus, and described by him under the name of Brachypterus rubiginosus. 
Markel, in ignorance of Erichson's error, described it under the name of Cateretes 
Spirece ; and Herr Bach, of Boppard, having afterwards found specimens which appeared 
to him different, made it known under the name of Cereus Rhenanus; and all three 
names hold their place in Continental lists in fide parentum. A careful examination of 
the specimens of B. rubiginosus preserved in the Berlin Museum shows that they belong 
to the genus Cercus, and that they are the same as Márkel's and Bach’s species. 
Iam informed by Herr von Kiesenwetter that this species may be taken in thousands 
in the valley of Dresden in the month of July, on the flowers of Spirea Ulmaria. 
Herr Bach takes it in profusion near Boppard in the month of March, on the same 
tree as Cercus Sambuci, viz. Sambucus racemosus, but always a fortnight before it, it 
appearing before the buds are open. 
The difference in the time of appearance would lead one at first to suppose that Bach's 
species must be distinct from C. Spiree, Markel; but I have failed to discover any dif- 
ference ; and as Márkel came to the same conclusion, I have felt constrained to consider 
them the same, notwithstanding this embarrassing cireumstance. The Saxon specimens 
taken in July may be a second brood. 
It is widely distributed, being found in most parts of Europe—and also, probably, 
throughout Asia, as I have received a specimen from Count Motschulsky, named by him 
C. melanocephalus, which had been taken on the banks of the river Amoor, and which 
is now in the collection of the British Museum. I can discover no difference between 
this specimen and those taken in Europe, unless perhaps that it is a trifle less convex. 
8. CERCUS PENNATUS. 
Query, Cercus pusillus, Melsh. Proc. Acad. Philad. ii. 105 (1846)? 
Fulvus vel piceo-fulvus, capite, disco thoracis scutelloque parum saturatioribus, punc- 
tatus, pubescens; scutcllo parum punctato, obtuse rotundato; elytris longis, sutura 
versus scutellum paululo elevata, utrinque linea brevi subdepressa, apice rotundato, 
truncato. Long. li lin., lat. 2 lin. ; long. elytrorum $ lin., lat. $ lin. 
Habitat in America boreali. 
The American representative of C. Sambuci; longer and larger, somewhat narrowed in 
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