2112 Insects. 



and at Cowes. Unlike the other species of the genus, it is rather sluggish in its 

 movements. 



Harpalus semiviolaceus, Dej. (thoracicus, Sec, Steph.) This species is locally 

 abundant on stony banks in the chalk district of Ventnor. Thus serripes may be ex- 

 pected to occur in sandy, cupreus in clay soils, and semiviolaceus in stony and chalky 

 districts. 



Ophonus punctulatus and nilidulus. Scarce, under stones near the Culver Cliffs. 



Ophonus obscurus, azureus, puncticollis and punctatissimus. All are very abundant 

 species. 



Trechus exiguus var. luridus, Dej. (Jlavicollis of the London cabinets). Apparently 

 scarce here, as I have met with only four or five specimens, which were shaken out 

 of moss. 



Trechus Jlavicollis, Sturm. Of this extremely rare species (the true flavicollis of 

 Sturm) only four examples have hitherto been captured in England, viz., a pair by 

 Mr. Dale, near Lymington, Hants, and a pair in a damp sandy situation on the South 

 coast of the Isle of Wight, in May, 1846, one of which was taken by my friend Mr. 

 Wollaston, and the other by myself at the same time. Though I have paid frequent 

 visits to the spot, it has not since turned up. 



Trechus similis, Dej., Erich, (ruficollis, Steph.) Abundant in moss from St. Boni- 

 face Down. It is pretty plentiful in moory situations, where the heath grows ; and I 

 have found it in such at Weybridge, and on some high moors in North Wales. 



Tachys obtusus, Sturm, and maritimus, Steph. Man. Both local, in sandy places. 

 By looking for them on the ground, among the scanty herbage, they may be taken in 

 company with Limnichus sericeus aud Georyssus pygmseus, &c. 



Philocthus hamiorrhous. With the above, and from moss in winter. 



Ocys currens. A single specimen was taken alive in my house last spring : I have 

 no idea whence it came. The insect frequents sandy situations, of which we have 

 nothing of the kind very near. The other species (melanocephalus) of this genus (for 

 tempestivus of Panzer is not an Ocys, but is identical with Trechus minutus, Fab.) is 

 very abundant in damp sandy places, between Luccomb and Shanklin. 



Pert/phus maritimus and ustus. The former abundant ; the latter scarce, on the 

 sea shore south of the island, in company with littoralis. 



Peryphus nitidulus. This species is not found on the South coast, but in great 

 profusion running over the wet clay slopes on the edge of the shore, to the westward 

 of Cowes. 



Lopha pusilla, Gyll. Not uncommon near Ryde. 



Stenolophus Skrimshiranus, Lymnceum nigropiceum and Blemus pallidus (which 

 last, however, is ascertained by Dr. Schaum to be distinct from the pallidus of Sturm, 

 and will require a change of name) have already been noticed (Zool. 1359). The two 

 latter are found only on the shore at some depth among the fine shingle ; the former 

 in one solitary damp spot near Niton, among dead leaves and refuse. All three are 

 very local ; they may, however, be taken nearly all through the winter. 



J. F. Dawson. 



Ventnor, March, 1848. 



