5638 Insects. 



Stephensian specimens of glabratus, femoralis, angustatus and maurus, in order to 

 ascertain whether the two former were not referrible to the larger species (or glabratus 

 proper), and the two latter to the smaller one (or maurus). This I accordingly did, 

 and found that it was as he suspected ; and in order therefore to clear up the synonymy 

 of the two, I would record them as follows : — 



Deomius glabratus. 



Carabus femoralis, Marsham, Ent. Brit. i. 463 (1802). 



Lebia glabrata {Meg), Dufts., Faun. Austr. ii. 248 (1812). 



Dromius glabratus, Sturm, Deutsch. Faun. vii. 54, tab. 171, f. c (1827). 



„ „ et femoralis, Steph. III. Brit. Ent. i. 25 (1828). 



„ „ (p.), Daws., Geod. Brit. 13 (1854). 



„ negrita, Woll., Ins. Mad. 9 (1854). 



Dromius maurus. 



Dromius maurus (Meg.), Sturm, Deutsch. Faun. vii. 55, tab. 171, f. d (1827). 

 „ „ Steph., III. Brit. Ent. i. 176 (1828). 



„ „ et angustatus, Steph., Man. 8 (1839). 



„ glabratus, Woll., Ins. Mad. 9 (1854). 

 „ „ (p.), Daws., Geod. Brit. 13 (1854). 



I may state that the former of these species may be readily known from the latter, not 

 only by its uniformly larger size, somewhat less intensely black and not quite so 

 brilliantly polished surface, but likewise by its elytra being proportionably less 

 abbreviated and with their stria? more apparent, by its prothorax being rather more 

 quadrate (or less narrowed behind), and by its head and antenna? being longer and 

 more robust. Dr. Schaum also remarks (which I had not observed until he called my 

 attention to it) that the claws of the glabratus are more powerfully denticulated than 

 those of the maurus. — a structure which is very perceptible when viewed in Canada 

 balsam, beneath the microscope. Whether the larger species is rare in this country, 

 I am not able to say, considering that I have never taken it; but the smaller one (the 

 true maurus) is abundant everywhere, darting across foot-paths in corn-fields and 

 gardens, and teeming in gravel-pits and by the sides of dusty roads, in most parts of 

 England. Even in Madeira it occurs in every island of the group, though it is there 

 somewhat scarce ; but in Madeira proper the larger one (or glabratus) is extremely 

 common, though apparently confined to that island. We may just remark that the 

 specific name of femoralis, Marsham, has in reality the priority over glabratus, Dufts. ; 

 nevertheless, since the diagnosis of the former was founded on an immature individual, 

 and is so utterly worthless and undecypherable that it ceases to be a diagnosis 

 at all, it can scarcely be allowed to supersede that which was afterwards given, — 

 in conjunction with a correct description and from proper data. — T. Vernon Wol- 

 laston; 10, Hereford Street, Park Lane. 



