Aphanisticus is distinguished from Agrilus, which it most 

 resembles, by its longer sulcated head and clavate antennae ; 

 the eyes are not lateral, the thorax is somewhat conical and 

 margined on the sides ; the labrum is narrowed at the base, 

 and not at all emarginate ; all the joints of the tarsi have 

 membranous margins, except the last, which produces only a 

 single claw. I am unable to describe the labium and its palpi, 

 which are very small, having lost or destroyed them in dis- 

 secting the mouth. 



Two species only of this genus have been discovered, one 

 of which is found in Britain, and was considered by Dr. Leach 

 to be the B. emarginata of Fabricius ; it certainly agrees very 

 well with his short description : but as he described it from 

 Bosc's Cabinet, and Olivier has done so likewise, at the same 

 time giving a figure and description which are very different 

 to our insect, I have followed Gyllenhal and Dejean in adopt- 

 ing Olivier's name, pusilla, his figure and description per- 

 fectly agreeing with our British species. 



This minute insect has been several times taken near the 

 gravel pit in Coombe Wood, early in April, by collecting the 

 moss and carrying it home in bags and shaking and examin- 

 ing it upon a white cloth, — an admirable plan for obtaining 

 minute insects. Major Gyllenhal says it is found in grassy 

 places, especially near the sea ; and Mr. Hope has detected it 

 in similar situations near Southend, Essex. I believe it was 

 observed by Dr. Leach in Devonshire, at a later period of the 

 year ; and I think Mr. Samouelle once beat it out of a hedge 

 at Coombe. 



The plant is Melampyrum cristatum (Crested Cow-wheat), 

 communicated by Professor Henslow. 



