Insects. 



5975 



The cylindrical depressed form, dilated thorax and attenuated elytra 

 will separate this species, at the first glance, from the two following. 



Mortisaga appears to be exclusively a northern species : my speci- 

 mens, two males and two females, were taken near Elgin, in Moray- 

 shire. 



3. B. Chevrolatii, Solier j Mulsant, Coleop. cle France^ Latigenes^ 



119, 3. 



Blaps mortisaga, Marsh. Ent, Brit. i. 479, 1 ; Steph. Illiist. 



Mand. v. 23, 2 ; Id. Manual, 326, 2558 ; Westw. Mod. Class. 



Ins. i. 319. fig, 39, 7. 

 Blaps obtusa, Sturm^ Deutsch. Faun. ii. 206, 4, pi. 44. 



This species, the B. mortisaga of British collections, may easily be 

 known by its small subquadrate depressed thorax, which has the disk 

 more or less uneven, and which gives it a foveolated appearance in 

 most specimens : the elytra are greatly dilated, widest at about two- 

 thirds their length ; * convex above, almost gibbous behind, and with 

 the apical processes very short : when view^ed in certain lights the 

 elytra appear slightly ribbed. 



Male. — More elongate, thorax proportionately wider, elytra not so 

 gibbous, and legs longer than in the female. 



Mulsant appears to be of opinion that these narrow individuals are 

 females ; but T think that the dilation of the thorax, narrowing of the 

 elytra and elongation of the legs are indicative of the male sex in this 

 genus. 



Common everywhere. I found it very abundant in September, 

 1857, at Tain, Ross-shire. 



4. ^AdiixdiXCdi^Sturm^Deiitsch. Faun, ii. 205, pi. 45; Spry 8$ Shuck. 



48, pi. 57, fig. 1 ; Mulsant, Coleop. de France, Latigenes, 

 121, 4. 



Blaps obtusa, Curtis, Brit. Ent. pi. 148; Steph. Illust. Mand. 

 V. 23, 2; Id. Manual, 326, 2559 ; SamoueVs Ent. Cat. 20, 1. 



The very broad thick form and short legs of this insect will at once 

 lead to its identification. Mulsant remarks that it is a more southern 

 species than Chevrolatii, being found in the middle and South of 

 France. Stephens and Curtis represent it as not uncommon in the 



* Mr. Westwood's figure, cited above, is a very correct outline of the female of 

 this species. 



