Royal Physical Society. 85 



little before the middle, as in fig. 2, and sometimes widest at the 

 very front, as in fig. 3, but never widest behind-, sometimes a little 



Fig. 1. Fig. 2. Fig. 3 



broader than long, and sometimes about equal in length and 

 breadth. The sides are rounded. In some examples they are 

 semitransparent or paler than the centre (and are then known as 

 the var. angustatus). In others the edges are firm and con- 

 colorous (the variety castaneus). The posterior angles are nearly 

 right-angled, more or less obtuse. The upper side is very 

 densely and finely punctate in the males, less so in the females, 

 and in both covered with a thin pubescence. The elytra are 

 feebly striated, finely and densely punctate, with a fine pubes- 

 cence, sometimes rounded, sometimes acuminate at the apex, 

 sometimes wholly ferruginous, sometimes dark chestnut, paler 

 round the borders. The under side is brown 5 the edges of the 

 abdominal segments and sometimes the apex of the abdomen 

 reddish. The legs ferruginous. 



The trochanters and thighs of the hind legs are liable to con- 

 siderable variation in form in the males. The following varieties 

 are met with. 



1. The trochanters are simple, and the thighs have a fine 

 tooth below. 



2. The thighs are simple, and the trochanters are armed with 

 a sharp spike. 



3. The thighs are simple, and the trochanters lengthened, 

 formed like a gouge-chisel, convex outwards, concave inwards, 

 but with the edge turned inwards at the point. 



4. Both thighs and trochanters simple. 



It will be seen from the above that I consider this a variable 

 species, and that the variations I have above indicated are nothing 

 more than different forms of the same species. Erichson was of 

 the same opinion, for it was he who first observed and recorded 

 the variations in the form of the trochanters of the hind legs, 

 and in noticing them he remarks — " Of the males I have the 

 following variations before me. These, one cannot with propriety 

 refer to different species, when in all other respects the perfect 

 examples agree." Other authors however have come to a dif- 

 ferent opinion, and have made distinct species of these different 

 varieties, and as these authors are of high standing and their 



