BUACHINlDiE. — DROMIUS. 19 



in the middle, usually more deflexed than in Ci. riparia, but much less than 

 in Ci. hybrida, though varying a Uttle in different specimens. The under 

 parts of the body and the legs are nearly similar in colour to those of Ci. 

 riparia. 

 Var. &. This variety is considerably darker in colour than Ci. riparia, being of 

 a deep black purple, and totally destitute of the beautiful silken gloss so con- 

 spicuous in the typical variety : the lunules and fascife on the elytra are 

 similar, excepting that the latter is considerably less deflexed, and merely 

 resembles an irregular curved line, which is nearly of an uniform breadth 

 throughout. In many respects this variety resembles Ci. riparia, but its 

 shorter and more convex form at once distinguish it from that insect : — again, 

 in the shape of the transverse fasciae it closely approximates to Ci. transver- 

 sahs of Ziegler, another kindred species, which has not yet been detected in 

 Britain. 



Desirable as it is to clear up any obscure question, I regret ex- 

 ceedingly my inability satisfactorily to determine whether or not 

 this insect be specifically distinct from Ci. riparia, owing to its 

 scarcity, or rather locality ; and as I am of opinion that it is at all 

 times preferable to separate those creatures which nature has ap- 

 parently divided, than run the hazard of uniting them, it becomes 

 necessary that this apparent species should receive a new appella- 

 tion, if my ideas respecting the identity of the true Linnean Ci. 

 hybrida be correct : I have therefore given it the above name ; but 

 until we are better acquainted with the history of it and its congeners, 

 I must express my doubts as to the propriety of considering it a truly 

 distinct species from Ci. riparia, from which its rich silken subvi- 

 rescent hues, and more convex but less elongate form, alone ap- 

 pear to separate it ; its other characters (in common with those of 

 the other species of this genus) varying considerably in different 

 specimens: but I have no hesitation in affirming that this and also 

 Ci. riparia are totally distinct from the Ci. hybrida of this work, as 

 I have possessed several dozens of specimens of that insect from 

 the habitats before mentioned, without a single individual of Ci. 

 aprica occurring amongst them ; and of this last insect I have in- 

 spected no less than nine specimens, since the appearance of my 

 last sheet, all of which were obtained from Lancashire and the ad- 

 joining counties*, where Ci. hybrida does not appear to occur. — 

 My friend, the Rev. W. Kirly, seems to have experienced difficulties 

 of a similar nature to the above in his endeavours to determine the 



* One of these specimens was received from Derbyshire, and is in the col- 

 lection of my friend Mr. Stone. 



