692 Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy. 



found in water weeds mixed with iish. scales cast up on the lake 

 shore. This species has been recorded from Scotland (Solway, Forth, 

 and Moray districts), north of England, and Wales. Abroad it occurs 

 over northern and central Europe, and in Siberia. 



S. atrata, L., var. SUBEOTTJNDATA, Steph. 

 TJlstee. Coknaught. Leinstee. Mtjnsiee. 



Common. The question has been raised as to whether typical 

 S. atrata occurs in Ireland. Mr. J. J. Walker considers that specimens 

 taken by him in various parts of Ireland are radistiuguishable from 

 English atrata, but as he did not keep a collection, at the time, most 

 of these specimens are not now available for reference. On the other 

 hand we have never met with typical ;S^. atrata in Ireland, and in 

 this experience we are supported by Messrs. Gr. A. Lewcock and 

 W. E. Sharp, both of whom have investigated the question with great 

 care. Dr. Power recording the results of a collecting tour in the 

 south-east of Ireland says, " every specimen I saw of Silpha was 

 undoubtedly sulrotundata " ('78 P.). The chief points of difference are 

 as follows : — S. sulrotundata is on an average larger than S. atrata ; 

 it is broader in proportion to its length, less parallel sided, and the 

 disc of the thorax is as a rule less closely punctured. The reflexed 

 margin of the elytra is very strongly developed, and extends almost 

 to the apex, while in the type the margin is much feebler and scarcely 

 reaches beyond the middle of the elytra. The supposed difference in 

 the length of the central raised line on the elytra is not to be relied 

 on as a distinction. In colour S. sulrotundata may be either brown or 

 black, both forms occurring iudiscriminately under stones, loose bark, 

 and in moss. There do not seem to be any satisfactory records of 

 the var. sulrotundata from either England, Scotland, or the Continent. 

 Consequently we have good ground for believing it to be confined to 

 Ireland, and the Isle of Man, where it is said to be common. As 

 regards the variety Irunnea, Herbst., we have no records of its occur- 

 rence in Ireland. The records of S. atrata in the references ('54 Hn. ; 

 '93 D.N.E.C. ; '95 Wr. ; '97 Hr., are to be refeiTed to the variety 

 S. sulrotundata, Steph. 



Choleva angustata, F. 



Ulstee. Leinster. Mun'ster. 

 Down (near Belfast, '85 H.).— Dublin ('54 Hn.).— Keny (Carran- 

 tuohm, '99 Sch. & Cr.), 

 Yery rare. 



