78 [^pril, 



exhibited bv tliein. He has placed his material in my hands and asked 

 me to publish this paper. To Commander J. J. Walker and Messrs. O. 

 E. Janson and AV. J. Ashdown my thanks are also due for the loan of 

 specimens. 



Most of the species show very gi-eat variability in size, in the 

 ])uncturati()n of the thorax and elytra, in the more or less marked depres- 

 sions or foveae exhibited in these areas, and even in the general outline 

 of the thorax, so that these characters are almost valueless for specific 

 determination. 



A structural peculiarity upon which much stress has been laid is 

 the number of joints of the antennae that are enlarged, forming a more 

 ov less distinct club, but this character must be used with caution. 

 There is usually at least one transitional jopit, and much depends upon 

 the aspect from Avhich the antenna is viewed whether this slightl}' 

 thickened joint should be classed with those forming the club or not, so 

 that perhaps the method adopted by Reitter of quoting both numbers is 

 the best, e,(j. "last 3, or 4, joints forming the club." 



The form of the front part of the head, and of the grooves at the 

 sides in which the antennae are inserted, is of the utmost importance, as 

 upon these the subgenera are to a great extent based. 



Another valuable character is the form of the elytra! epipleura. 

 Around the shoulder, usually a little on the under side, will be observed 

 a distinct ridge or carina. This is defined on its upper side by the outer- 

 most stria or row of punctures. If this stria be followed backwards, it 

 will be seen in some species to continue sharply impressed almost to the 

 apex, separating the outermost interval as a distinct marginal epipleuron. 

 In others this stria loses its sjDCcial character about halfway, so that in the 

 posterior half of the elyti*a it does not differ markedly from its fellow ; 

 neither is the outermost interval different in form from that next to it 

 (subgen. Salpingelhts Reitt.). 



The mature coloration of these insects ajjparentl}' takes some time 

 to develop, as immature specimens are frequent. 



The following key includes, besides the British species, two names 

 (enclosed in brackets) that have frequently figured in error on the 

 British List, viz. aerafus Muls. and virescens Muls. (N.B. Though I 

 have retained the various subgenera already proposed I do not consider 

 that these serve any useful purpose. One might just as well claim that 

 aerafus diiidi fore ol at us require new subgenera !) 



