l893 .] THE BRITISH NATURALIST. 131 



thoracica, nigosa, sinuata, and dispar. In the second group, the thorax is 

 semicircular ; the two species included being lesvigata and atrata. 

 The first group is sub-divided into five other divisions. The second 

 group is also divided. So that we have seven sub-divisions of the 

 whole genus, which will be dealt with seriatim. Discarding Necrodes 

 littoralis, our first species are— 1. Silpha tristis, 111., S. nigrita, Creutz., 

 and 5. obscura, Z. In these species the second joint of the antennae is 

 nearly as long as the third. In 5. nigrita, however, the antennas are 

 comparatively shorter and more bead-like than that of 5. tristis and 

 5. obscura. 



In placing S. nigrita second in this division, Canon Fowler has 

 departed from the order laid down in both of Sharp's Catalogues and 

 that of his own of 1883. It is difficult to understand the reason for 

 this alteration. Some stress is placed on the fact that S. tristis has 

 three very distinct raised keels on each elytron, while in 5. nigrita and 

 5. obscura the keels, although present, are not so distinct. But then 

 S. tristis and S. obscura agree both in shape of antennae and in each 

 having the interstices of the elytra evenly punctured ; whereas in 

 S. nigrita the punctures are decidedly coarser, very uneven, and in 

 some cases confluent. 



1 . S. tristis. — Oblong, and rather shiny. Occurs at several localities 

 in Kent, and may frequently be found running by tides and pathways. 

 Several specimens, principally from Deal, have been exhibited at City 

 of London Society. Mr. Newbery obtained the species from Merton ; 

 the late Mr. Hall took it at Dover ; Mr. A. J. Chitty, one from sea 

 coast, North Wales, and one from Luccombe Chine, Isle of Wight ; 

 Dr. Ellis records it as taken by F. Archer at Crossby in May, 1862. 

 It occurs also in the North 01 England, but rarely in Scotland. Not 

 recorded from Ireland. 



S. nigrita. — More shining than preceding species, and with inter- 

 stices of the elytra unevenly punctured. More common in North of 

 England and Scotland. Mr. W T . Chaney records it as taken on Ben 

 Nevis two or three years ago by one of his sons; Mr. A. J. Chitty, 

 two specimens from Folkestone, in April, taken on hot paths in sun- 

 shine on or about the Lees. No Irish records. 



5. obscura. — Very like S. tristis, from which it differs in being duller 

 in appearance and in the smoother elytra. The thorax is broader 

 than that of S. nigrita, and the interstices are evenly punctured. It is 

 said to be common in the London district, but there are no recent 

 records of its capture there. Found commonly in many parts of 

 Kent, in carcases, at roots of grass, &c, often on pathways (G. C. 

 Champion, Kent and Surrey Coleoptera). Frequently seen very busy 

 in some numbers, feeding on remains of snails that have been crushed 

 by passers-by on previous night, on Darland Hill, Chatham. Also 



