The thorax of our insect gives it the appearance of a true 

 Ptinus, whilst the shining and globose elytra very much re- 

 semble those of Gibbium ; it is therefore evidently interme- 

 diate between those genera. I am happy to be the first who 

 has ever characterized the genus Mezium, or figured the spe- 

 cies : it seems to be unknown upon the Continent, for it neither 

 appears in the catalogues of the Baron Dejean nor of M. 

 Sturm. In London it is not uncommon, being found in houses 

 generally about the month of April, frequently coming out of 

 the old paper on the walls of the rooms, or falling from the 

 ceiling : whether it destroys the laths, feeds upon the paper, 

 or the paste by which it is attached, has not I believe been 

 ascertained. 



Fabricius states that it inhabited dried plants from the Ca- 

 nary Isles. The males are smaller than the females, and not 

 elongated as in the genus Ptinus. 



For fine specimens of this insect I have to acknowledge my 

 obligations to A. H. Davis, Esq., to whose liberal communi- 

 cations I am indebted for much valuable information. 



The plant represented in the Plate is Ornithopus perpusillus 

 (Common Bird's-Foot). 



