56 



[July, 



a long central transverse impressed line, and behind this a shorter one 

 at each side. The elytra are coppery at the sides, suture, and along 

 the course of the striae ; the latter are finely punctate, the punctures 

 being only visible at the sides and apex. The under surface, including 

 the iuflexed margin of the elytra and the legs, reddish testaceous. 



This species, which is more properly a native of the south of 

 Europe, is taken by Mr. Bold in the Duabon near Newcastle-on-Tyne. 

 I have never found it myself, and indeed know no other locality for it. 

 It appears to vary but little. 



**— The greater part of the under surface black, the inflexed margin of 

 elytra and claws of the tarsi bright reddish-testaceous. 



3. G. natator, Scop. Ovate, convex, above bluish-black, with the sides 

 brassy ; elytra punctate striate, the internal striae much fainter 

 than the outer ; under-side black, with the margins of the elytra, 

 and the legs, and sometimes the breast and apex of abdomen, 

 reddish-testaceous. Long. 2| — 3i'" ; lat. H — If". 



Of this species there are two well-marked races, considered by 

 Erichson and SufFrian as distinct species, viz. : — 



(a) G. mergiis^ Ahr. Broad, not so much narrowed before and 

 behind, the inner striae evidently finer than the outer, espe- 

 cially towards the suture, but always distinct and perceptible 

 for their whole length. 



(b) G. natator. Narrower, the sides more rounded, and the internal 

 striae very obsolete or entirely wanting towards the base of 

 the elytra. 



G. mergus is the common form in the south of England, but does 

 not occur at all in Scotland. 



G. natator is abundant in Scotland, but rare further south. I have 

 it from Cambridge, but not from the south of London. I have, however, 

 a small series of specimens taken at Deal which agree closely with one 

 another, and possess the form of G. natator with the punctuation of 

 G. mergus. 



This species also varies in the colour of the under-side, the extremity 

 of the abdomen being nearly always, and the breast very often, ferru- 

 ginous ; while on the continent the colour of the under surface is 

 generally black. A variety in which the upper-side is of a dark 

 unicolorous-black also occurs. 



Very common everywhere throughout the year ; the two races 

 having apparently a different distribution. 



