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NECRODES LITTORALIS. 
N. nigra; elytris lineis tribus elevatis, duabus externis tu- 
berculo connexis: antennis articulis tribus ultimis ferru- 
gineis. 
Silpha littoralis auctorum. 
Habitat in Europa, cadaveribus. 
SHORE NECRODES. 
Black ; elytra with three elevated lines, the two outer ones 
connected by a tubercle ; three last joints of the antennz 
ferruginous. 
Inhabits Europe, and is common in many parts of 
Great Britain, frequenting carcasses of animals. 
The male of this insect is subject to considerable varieties 
in size, in the form of the posterior tibiz, and in the struc- 
ture of the posterior thighs; so much so indeed, as to lead 
Mr. Curtis and myself to consider them as distinct species. 
The hinder thighs of the male are always somewhat 
thicker than those of the female. In large specimens, how- 
ever, these parts are very much incrassated and denticu- 
lated beneath. In this variety the hinder tibiw are very 
much bent; whereas in the smaller varieties, the hinder 
tibia are nearly strait, and the thighs are quite simple. 
As every possible gradation between these two varieties 
exists, and as they are always found together, no doubt 
can be entertained as to their being the same species. 
